TOPEKA – J.J. Jones, Marketing and Trade Director, of the Kansas Department of Agriculture has been elected to serve as chairman for the United States Livestock Genetic Export, Inc. (USLGE) board of directors, according to a news release today.

USLGE is a nationwide livestock-specific, not-for-profit, trade association representing the international market development interests of the U.S. dairy, beef, sheep, swine and horse breeding industries. The organization encompasses the embryo and semen industry, livestock export sector, plus leading state departments of agriculture from top livestock producing states across the United States.

Over the past several years, the exportation of U.S. livestock genetics has grown exponentially with sales nearing one billion dollars annually. Kansas ranchers have realized a significant portion of these sales.

As chair, Jones will be representing the organization and Kansas in increasing global trade across multiple livestock markets as U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses strive to introduce superior livestock genetics to world markets from leading breeders in the U.S.

To learn more about USLGE and its programs and activities visit www.uslge.org.

TOPEKA – Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Phyllis Gilmore announced in a Monday news release that DCF’s Anti-Fraud Unit has substantially increased investigations and judgments since it was created in 2011. The Unit is also utilizing new technology to combat welfare benefits fraud.

“Most benefits recipients are not abusing the system,” Secretary Gilmore said. “For those who are, we’re working hard to ensure the fraud stops so that only those who qualify for assistance will receive it.”

In 2012, nine new fraud special investigator positions were created, to bring the Anti-Fraud Unit to a total of 16 investigators plus support staff. The group is spread across the state to cover DCF’s four regions. In 2013, the Anti-Fraud Unit implemented a statewide fraud investigations and legal action case tracking system. The system creates nearly real-time ability to view and assess statistics, trends and types of investigations.

In fiscal year (FY) 2012, fraud investigations totaled 1,213. In FY 2013, they increased to 3,094. The total value of judgments in fraud cases for FY 2013 was $941.846. During the first quarter of FY 2014 alone, the Anti-Fraud Unit initiated 1,221 investigations and established judgments total $603,225. Today, for FY 2014, judgments total $1.3 million. The unit is currently on track to see a 34 percent increase in investigations and more than double the total amount of judgments compared to the previous fiscal year.

“I am proud of the good work the Anti-Fraud Unit is doing,” Secretary Gilmore said. “Taxpayers deserve to know their hard-earned money is benefiting families in need, not criminals.”

Ahead of a federal mandate this month, DCF began using a new tool to crack down on prohibited use of the Kansas Benefits Cards/Vision card. The Fraud Navigator is technology purchased from the current electronics benefits transfer (EBT) contractor that allows DCF the capability of identifying and blocking EBT transactions at restricted locations.

By KAITLYN KLEIN
KU Statehouse Wire Service

TOPEKA — Kansans are familiar with severe weather. With that in mind, they build homes or shelters for protection. However, some House legislators says Kansas schools might be vulnerable, failing to protect students during extreme weather.

The House Education Budget Committee’s House Bill 2623 would require storm shelters to be built as a part of certain construction projects. The bill reads that Kansas school districts would need to “provide life-saving protection to all Kansas children in the event of extreme wind.”

The construction projects would be any new construction or any remodel or expansion project that costs 50 percent of more of the insured value of the existing building.

Speaking in favor of the bill Monday, architect Stan Peterson of the American Institute of Architects said they would assist the Kansas Adjutant General’s Office in developing guidelines and requirements for the measure.

The bill requires school districts to work with the Adjutant Office on projects to build storm shelters. There were no opponents to the bill but some raised concerns.

Angee Morgan, deputy director of the Kansas Division of Emergency Management, spoke in favor of the bill, but according to her written testimony suggested “minor language changes to ensure the bill reflects the intended purpose/intent.”

One language change suggested “student attendance center” building project in order to avoid applying the law to projects schools undertake that don’t house students for most of the day such as bus depots.

After several questions about what projects would be included under the bill, Chairman Rep. Ward Cassidy (R-St. Francis) moved to adjourn the meeting until Tuesday.

“It seems like a bill that everyone supports,” Cassidy said. “It’s just getting the technical language figured out.”

The language of the bill and cost were two concerns that will be addressed further at Tuesday’s meeting.

WICHITA (AP) — Treated sewer water might be part of the city of Wichita’s efforts to improve its water supply for the future.

City officials said this week they are examining several methods to use treated wastewater for everything from drinking to irrigation.

The Wichita Eagle reported that is one option that could be used as the city searches for a water supply for the next 50 years. A report from city public works officials and outside consultants on the future of the city’s water supply is expected this spring.

Public Works Director Alan King says the Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working on regulations for turning wastewater into drinking water, similar to regulations used in California.

But King and other city officials stress no final decisions have been made.

WICHITA (AP) — Kansas hospital officials say a federal proposal to change how rural hospitals are designated for purposes of Medicare reimbursements could be devastating to smaller health care facilities that already are struggling to survive.

The Wichita Eagle  reports a Department of Health and Human Services report last fall suggested that critical access hospitals within 35 miles of another hospital should have their designations re-evaluated and receive reimbursements like other Medicare-certified facilities.

Critical care hospitals are reimbursed by Medicare at 101 percent of their costs, but the American Hospital Directory says half of those in hospitals in Kansas already are operating at a loss.

The Kansas Hospital Association predicts 72 of the 83 critical access hospitals in the state would be impacted if the 35-mile rule were put into effect.

TOPEKA (AP) — Kansas enacted a law last year to prevent government agencies from infringing on residents’ religious liberties.

That policy is an issue in the Legislature’s debate this year over responding to the possibility that the federal courts could strike down the state’s ban on gay marriage.

In the Senate, President Susan Wagle said the 2013 law is a reason for her and other majority Republicans to avoid taking up a House-passed anti-gay marriage bill.

But backers of the House bill are skeptical that last year’s law provides adequate legal protections for churches, bakers, florists and photographers who don’t want anything to do with gay weddings.

Gay rights advocates argue however the debate ends, gays and lesbians won’t have any recourse for being refused goods, services, housing, employment or other benefits.