Kansas State Treasurer

TOPEKA–Seventh and eighth grade students across Kansas can showcase their creativity and win an education savings account in the 14th annual Learning Quest Make Your Mark Contest. The Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program is Kansas’ state-sponsored 529 plan, designed to help families invest for their child’s continued education after high school.

This year’s theme is “your future is a clean slate where anything is possible.” Students are being asked to think ahead 20 years from now and explain how they’d be introduced and what they’d discuss if asked to give a commencement speech to the class of 2035 at their former high school. They can choose to respond in one of two categories: the written where they can submit a traditional essay format (up to 350 words) or the creative where they can articulate themselves with a drawing, poetry, collage, video or any other sort of visual response.

“This contest is a perfect fit for our Learning Quest program,” said Kansas State Treasurer Ron Estes, who administers the Learning Quest 529 Program. “It encourages Kansas youth to reflect on future career goals they’ve set for themselves, and consider the training or education they’ll need to achieve those dreams.”

The contest, open to all seventh and eighth grade students in Kansas, begins mid-August, and all entries must be postmarked or submitted electronically at http://essay.LearningQuest.com/ by Oct. 9, 2015.

Prizes include $2,000 Learning Quest accounts for the first-place winner in each of the two categories. Learning Quest judges will also select up to five entries per category to be posted online for public voting for the chance to win the People’s Choice prize of $1,000 per category. Additionally, each of the schools attended by the four winners (the two winners selected by the judges and the two winners by public voting) will receive a $1,000 prize from Learning Quest. Prizes are provided by American Century Investments.

“Since beginning this contest 14 years ago, we’ve had schools continue to support the contest year after year, encouraging students to plan ahead and prepare for their future,” said Estes. “Giving a prize to each of the winning students’ schools is our way of thanking the teachers, principals and school administrators of our Kansas schools for their commitment towards the education of our state’s next generation.”

To learn more and download participation materials, visit the contest website at http://essay.LearningQuest.com/. Updates can also be found on the Learning Quest Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/KSLearningQuest529.

The Learning Quest 529 Education Savings Program was created to help families invest for their child’s continued education after high school, whether at a traditional four-year college, community college, or technical school. Learning Quest investors benefit from tax-deferred growth and tax-free withdrawals when used for qualified education expenses (tax benefits may be conditioned on meeting certain requirements). Kansas taxpayers can receive a Kansas tax deduction up to $3,000 per child ($6,000 if married, filing jointly) on contributions to Learning Quest or any other 529 plan sponsored by another state.

Kansas Department of Agriculture

LINCOLN, NEB.–The states of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska reached an agreement today, Aug. 27, that will ensure more certainty to the basin’s water users in both Nebraska and Kansas. The agreement, in the form of a Resolution approved by the Republican River Compact Administration (RRCA), was achieved through collaborative negotiations that began in April 2015 and will provide timely notice and access to water for the 2016 irrigation season.

The agreement provides additional flexibility for Nebraska to achieve its Compact obligations while ensuring that the interests of Kansas are protected. The additional flexibility will allow the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to provide a portion of the forecasted compliance water early in 2016 and provide any additional shortfall later in 2016 and through April 1, 2017. This also provides some improved operational predictability for Nebraska water users in that water users will not be subjected to closing notices related to the 2016 irrigation season.

The 2016 agreement builds upon the agreement reached for the 2015 irrigation season with further beneficial developments for water users. This agreement provides more advanced notice to irrigators in the basin of compliance activities that will likely occur in 2016, allowing for an advanced planning period producers desire for their efficiently run operations.

The States’ agreement is contingent upon the Nebraska and the Kansas Bostwick Irrigation Districts, working with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, – reaching agreement on modifications of certain contract provisions contained in their Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) also adopted last year. Thus, ensuring the availability of the water pumped from Nebraska augmentation projects for RRCA compliance.

Current RRCA Chairman, Gordon W. “Jeff” Fassett, Director of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, said, “Today’s agreement is good news for Nebraska water users and represents the continuation of the cooperative and positive collaboration we’ve fostered between our states as we work to find mutually agreeable solutions that best serve our citizens. Additionally, we are hopeful that this positive momentum will continue to move us closer to the goal of securing a long-term agreement. With significantly more planning time, Nebraska’s water users will have greater certainty in their water supply and make the best decisions for their operations.”

“We are pleased to collaborate with Nebraska and Colorado as we continue to develop balanced and fair water solutions benefiting all of the basin’s water users that reflects good water management,” said Kansas Commissioner David Barfield. “This fourth in our series of recent agreements with Nebraska allows Kansas to make effective use of its water supply in 2016 and allows the states additional time and experience with Nebraska’s compliance activities as we continue to move toward long-term agreement.”

Colorado Commissioner Dick Wolfe said, “This agreement exemplifies the success that can be achieved through collaboration and cooperation of the RRCA and the water users in the basin.”

The RRCA is comprised of one member each from the States of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska. The purpose of the RRCA is to administer the Republican River Compact. This Compact allocates the waters of the Republican River among the three states. The next RRCA annual meeting is scheduled for August of 2016 and will be hosted by the State of Colorado in a location of their choice.

TOPEKA–After three months of review and discussions with Kansas health insurance companies, the Kansas Insurance Department announced Tuesday the completion of the rate review process for companies planning to sell individual health plans on the 2016 federal marketplace in Kansas.

The range of average rate revisions by insurance companies for individual plans is from 9.4 percent to 25.4 percent, which is less than the increases originally requested in May, according to Ken Selzer, CPA, Commissioner of Insurance.

Less than five percent of Kansans are affected by the rate revisions, both on and off the marketplace, according to department statistics.

“Many factors contributed to the need for rate increases in 2016,” Commissioner Selzer said in a news release. “Guaranteed issue of policies, broad coverage requirements and other federal mandates continue to drive up health insurance costs in Kansas and throughout the country. Additional factors pushing rates up include changes in pharmacy costs and medical costs.”

Additionally, a new company entrant, UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest, Inc., has proposed plans to be sold on the marketplace in 2016. Also proposing to sell on the marketplace are Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City; Coventry Health & Life Insurance Company; Coventry Health Care of Kansas, Inc.; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas; and BlueCross BlueShield Kansas Solutions, Inc.

These private companies also sell plans outside the government website.

“During the review process our department was able to lower many of the rate increase requests for 2016, saving significant money for Kansas consumers compared to the original requests,” Commissioner Selzer said. “We worked to find the balance between company claims trends and the need to hold down consumer costs.”

This is the first time since the federal marketplace began that insurance companies have had a full year of claims experience on which to base their premium rate revisions. In almost every case, the claims experience has been worse than anticipated, the Commissioner said.

For 2016, a total of 96 plans have been proposed for sale during open enrollment for the Kansas federally-facilitated online marketplace. That number includes 74 individual plans, an increase of 10 individual plan choices from 2015.

Open enrollment begins Nov. 1, 2015, for the 2016 calendar year.

 

MANHATTAN–U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) has been named U.S. Senate co-chairman of the new Congressional Down Syndrome Task Force – a bipartisan, bicameral group dedicated to making certain the needs of the Down syndrome community are a priority on Capitol Hill. Sen. Moran will work with co-chair Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) and his counterparts in the U.S. House of Representatives – including U.S. Representative Kevin Yoder (R-Kan.) who is also a member of the Task Force – to increase awareness about issues facing people with Down syndrome, their families and communities.

“Every person should have the opportunity to experience a full and satisfying life – to live, learn, work and pursue the American Dream,” Sen. Moran said. “Expanding the Congressional Down Syndrome Task Force to the Senate will increase our ability to build awareness of the issues important to those individuals with Down syndrome and their families, such as medical care, research, education, work opportunities, and independent living. Advancing policies that enable people with Down syndrome to have opportunities to realize their hopes and dreams takes bipartisan cooperation, and I am proud to join Senator Casey in founding the Senate counterpart of this valuable congressional task force.”

“As Americans, we believe everyone should have the opportunity to realize their dreams and be equipped with the tools to do so,” Rep. Yoder said. “Getting the ABLE Act signed into law in December was a critical step towards allowing some of the most vulnerable Americans among us to have that capability. I look forward to working with Senator Moran on the bipartisan Down Syndrome Task Force to help continue to raise awareness and provide assistance to those who need it most as they strive to achieve an independent and productive life.”

“The National Down Syndrome Society is very excited to have Sen. Moran championing our efforts to help members of Congress enhance their understanding of issues important to people with Down syndrome and their families by serving as the Senate Co-Chair of the Congressional Task Force on Down Syndrome,” said Jawanda Mast, Olathe, Kan., resident and Manager of Grassroots Advocacy for the National Down Syndrome Society. “In keeping with his history of supporting individuals with Down syndrome, Congressman Yoder has also joined the Congressional Task Force. I appreciate the leadership of Senator Moran and Congressman Yoder on behalf of individuals with Down syndrome and believe it is a great example of effective grassroots advocacy. Both Sen. Moran and Rep. Yoder have listened to constituents and taken initiative.”

Sen. Moran and Rep. Yoder were instrumental in the passage of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014, legislation to allow people with disabilities to set up tax-free savings accounts to help better provide for their future. Since the federal bill was signed into law in December 2014, 30 states, including Kansas, have passed legislation creating state ABLE savings programs

Kansas Department of Revenue

TOPEKA–Drivers with suspended licenses can now keep track of correspondence with the Kansas Division of Vehicles online for free through the enhanced driver’s license status check.

The status check feature is available on the department’s website, www.ksrevenue.org/DLStatusCheck, and is updated nightly Monday through Friday.

It shows if a driver’s license is suspended, revoked, canceled or has restrictions. The feature is also on the new mobile app KS Vehicles Connect, which is available for free on the Android, iPhone and Windows platforms.

In addition to checking a driver’s license status, the customer will now be able to pull up copies of all notices that have been mailed to them from the division.

“The enhanced status check feature will now help customers keep track of all their letters and provide a backup for misplaced notices,” said Division of Vehicles Director Lisa Kaspar in a news release Monday.

Kansas Department of Revenue

TOPEKA–Application forms for the 2015 Tax Amnesty Program are now
available online at http://www.ksrevenue.org/taxamnesty.html.

The web page also includes eligibility information and a list of frequently
asked questions.

The state is offering a tax amnesty program where the state will waive
penalties and interest assessed by the state for unpaid taxes if the tax
debt for an approved application is paid in full between Sept. 1 and Oct.
15, 2015.

“This is a limited-time offer aimed at helping Kansans get out of tax debt
with the state,” said Revenue Secretary Nick Jordan.

The opportunity is available to Kansas taxpayers who owe individual or
business tax debt with the state accrued before Dec. 31, 2013. The amnesty
does not apply to matters that are in appeal.

An application form, eligibility information and answers to frequently
asked questions are available at www.ksrevenue.org/taxamnesty.html.

The amnesty applies to:

· Income tax (individual, corporate and fiduciary)
· Privilege tax
· Estate tax
· Withholding and estimated tax
· Sales tax (state and local)
· Compensating use tax (state and local)
· Liquor enforcement tax
· Liquor drink tax
· Cigarette and tobacco products tax
· Mineral severance tax

Kansas Department of Agriculture

MANHATTAN–Kansas farmers are encouraged to be especially cognizant during wheat planting season to select wheat varieties with high resistance to fungal diseases as well as to apply fungicides to seed before drilling wheat this season. Wheat flag smut was detected in Kansas earlier this summer and with potential yield and trade implications from the fungus prevention in the upcoming crop will be important.

“Research has shown that the use of certified seed combined with fungicide seed treatments, which are very economical, are highly effective in preventing the presence of flag smut and is an important tool in successful mitigation of the disease,” said Jeff Vogel, KDA’s Plant Protection and Weed Control program manager. He noted that producers and seedsmen should follow proper protocols to ensure that a thorough and even application of fungicide is made to the seed to ensure a high level of product efficacy.

A wheat industry working group was assembled this summer to determine best voluntary management practices and mitigation strategies to help ensure that the presence of the disease, which is considered a harmful organism by some international trading partners, does not spread or increase in 2016.

While the most effective way to break the disease cycle, which can lie dormant in the soil for as many as four or five years, is using fungicide treated seed, other recommended strategies include avoiding early planting conditions that place seed into warm moist soils, which are known to favor infection by the flag smut fungus and to consider crop rotation with non-host crops such as soybeans, sorghum and corn, to reduce the risk of the disease emergence. Continuous wheat often favors and creates ideal conditions for wheat diseases to flourish.

K-State Research and Extension’s Seed Treatment Fungicides for Wheat Disease Management publication is an excellent source for wheat seed treatments frequently used.

KDA’s mission is to serve farmers and protect plant health in order to help ensure the continued strong contribution of agriculture to the state’s economy. It is important to use as many voluntary strategies as possible to mitigate this disease which could have international trade implications in the future.

For additional information on wheat diseases in Kansas, check www.agriculture.ks.gov/ppws and http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/wheatpage/

Environmental Protection Agency

As part of the President’s Climate Action Plan – Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued two proposals to further reduce emissions of methane-rich gas from municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. Under this week’s proposals, new, modified and existing landfills would begin collecting and controlling landfill gas at emission levels nearly a third lower than current requirements.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential more than 25 times that of carbon dioxide. Climate change threatens the health and welfare of current and future generations. Children, older adults, people with heart or lung disease and people living in poverty may be most at risk from the health impacts of climate change. In addition to methane, landfills also emit other pollutants, including the air toxics benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and vinyl chloride.

Municipal solid waste landfills receive non-hazardous wastes from homes, businesses and institutions. As landfill waste decomposes, it produces a number of air toxics, carbon dioxide, and methane. MSW landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., accounting for 18 percent of methane emissions in 2013 – the equivalent of approximately 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution.

Combined, the proposed rules are expected to reduce methane emissions by an estimated 487,000 tons a year beginning in 2025 – equivalent to reducing 12.2 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the carbon pollution emissions from more than 1.1 million homes. EPA estimates the climate benefits of the combined proposals at nearly $750 million in 2025 or nearly $14 for every dollar spent to comply. Combined costs of the proposed rules are estimated at $55 million in 2025.

This week’s proposals would strengthen a previously proposed rule for new landfills that was issued in 2014, and would update the agency’s 1996 emission guidelines for existing landfills. The proposals are based on additional data and analysis, and public comments received on a proposal and Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking EPA issued in 2014.

EPA will take comment on the proposed rules for 60 days after they are published in the Federal Register. The agency will hold a public hearing if one is requested within five days of publication.
More information: http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/landfill/landflpg.html

Information on the Strategy to Reduce Methane Emissions: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/03/28/strategy-cut-methane-emissions

Information on the Climate Action Plan: http://www.whitehouse.gov/climate-change

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT– On August 17, 2015, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $20 million in grants to 15 states to improve and increase wildlife habitat and public access for recreational opportunities on privately-owned and operated farm, ranch and forest lands. The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) received a $2.7 million grant, the largest amount awarded to the 15 states. The grant is funded under the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentives Program (VPA-HIP), which is administered by the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).

According to Jake George, KDWPT Private Land Programs Coordinator, the funds will be used over a three-year period to lease private land for hunting and fishing access and to help landowners improve habitat on those properties. Program promotion and outreach will occur this fall, with initial enrollment beginning late-spring to early-summer of 2016.

“We were very pleased to once again be awarded VPA-HIP grant funding,” George said. “Currently, KDWPT’s Walk-in Hunting Access and FISH programs have more than 1 million acres of enrolled properties and agreements with nearly 2,300 Kansas landowners, providing numerous public hunting and fishing opportunities across the state. This additional funding will allow for further expansion and improvement of the already successful access and habitat management programs offered to Kansas landowners through KDWPT.”

With respect to hunting, the focus for the funds will be on enrolling new or recently enrolled Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) properties. Participating landowners must be willing to allow public hunting access on the property for the duration of the CRP contract and enroll in wildlife-friendly conservation practices. Landowners are encouraged to enroll or re-enroll their properties in CRP between the continuous signup and the general CRP signup, which begins Dec. 1, 2015. KDWPT expects to add an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 new acres of quality access properties over the next three years.

KDWPT will also use the funds to improve fishing and paddle sports access, enrolling prime stream reaches, as well as quality privately-owned impoundments. Public access to these streams would provide a multitude of angling opportunities and open up recreational paddle sports access, which is limited in the state because most of the 10,000 miles of streams and rivers in Kansas are privately owned.

“This project with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism shows how good partnerships and land management will lead to sustainable recreational and economic opportunities for years to come. Connecting outdoor recreation to private lands conservation is good for wildlife, people, and rural economies,” said Eric B. Banks, state conservationist for the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

For more information on VPA-HIP and other FSA programs, visit www.fsa.usda.gov/vpa.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–According the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (USFWS) 2015 Trends in Duck Breeding Populations survey, overall duck numbers remain strong as we enter the 2015-2016 hunting seasons. The USFWS stated that total populations were estimated at 49.5 million breeding ducks in the traditional survey area, which is 43 percent above the 1955-2014 long-term average and the highest count on record. Last year’s estimate was 49.2 million birds.

According to the report, current species estimates are as follows:

• Blue-winged teal: 8.5 million, 73 percent above the long-term average.
• Green-winged teal: 4.1 million, 98 percent above the long-term average.
• Northern shoveler: 4.4 million, 75 percent above the long-term average.
• Northern pintail: 3.0 million, 24 percent below the long-term average.
• Mallard: 11.6 million, 51 percent above the long-term average.
• Gadwall: 3.8 million, 100 percent above the long-term average.
• American wigeon: 3.0 million, 17 percent above the long-term average.
• Redhead: 1.2 million, 71 percent above the long-term average.
• Canvasback: 0.76 million, 30 percent above the long-term average.
• Scaup: 4.4 million, 13 percent below the long-term average.

Waterfowl hunting seasons in Kansas will begin with the teal season in the Low Plains Zones Sept. 12-27, followed by the High Plains Zone Sept. 19-27, 2015.

Regular duck and goose seasons will be approved by the Kansas Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Commission at the public hearing portion of its Thursday, August 20 meeting, which will be held at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K-156 Highway, Great Bend. The public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Waterfowl hunters are required to possess a Kansas HIP permit, state waterfowl permit, federal waterfowl stamp, and Kansas hunting license, unless exempt.

For more information on Kansas waterfowl seasons, visit ksoutdoors.com.

To view a complete version of the data, and get a species-by-species breakdown, visit www.fws.gov/birds/news/150702trend.php, or www.ducks.org/DuckNumbers.

Office of the State Fire Marshal

On June 27, 2015 at Formosa Fun Coast in New Taipei City, Taiwan, approximately 500 people were injured and burned when a fireball engulfed a crowd of patrons. The sudden burst of flames was caused by the ignition of colored powders that were sprayed over the crowd.

With a number of similar events planned in Kansas, the Office of the State Fire Marshal would like to offer information and safety tips to help ensure these events are safe and fun for the participants.

The “combustible dust” used in these events is commonly colored cornstarch, which isn’t normally combustible, but they can burn or explode if the particles are the right size and in the right concentration in the presence of an ignition source. Possible ignition sources include open flames and sparks, electrical equipment, hot surfaces, and static electricity.

There are four elements needed for a flash fire/dust explosion:

• Combustible Powder
• Oxygen (Air)
• Ignition Source
• Dispersion of dust into a cloud above the minimum explosion concentration (MEC)

Most of these events generate sufficient colored powder and cloud dispersion in the presence of air to create a fire hazard, yet few fires such as the one in Taiwan occur.

The missing element is often the ignition source. The key to preventing these incidents relies on:

• Eliminating ignition sources
• Reducing dust clouds to concentrations below the minimum explosive concentration (MEC)

Event organizers should take the necessary precautions to ensure their events are a fire-proof as possible so that Kansans will not experience a tragedy such as the one in Taiwan.

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

PRATT–The peak of summer and start of fall can provide stunning lighting and subject matter for outdoor photographers. Whether it’s a catfish fresh out of the water, a crimson sunset over a pasture, or a whitetail peeking through a tree line, Kansas Wildlife & Parks magazine staff want to see what makes you Wild About Kansas.

Photographers of all skill levels are encouraged to submit their favorite wildlife, outdoor recreation, and landscape photos before Oct. 23. There is no fee to enter, and the contest is open to both residents and nonresidents.

Photographers can submit up to three original photos taken in the state of Kansas. Photos must fit into one of the three categories – wildlife, outdoor recreation or landscape – and will be judged on creativity, composition, subject matter, lighting, and the overall sharpness.

First, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes will be awarded in each category, and one honorable mention per category will be named, as well. Winners will be featured in the 2016 Kansas Wildlife & Parks January/February photo issue.

Entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. on Oct. 23. An entry form must be submitted for each participant and can be obtained by visiting ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine/Wild-About-Kansas. Photo format should be JPEG or TIFF and file size should be not less than 1mb and not more than 5mb.

For more information, visit ksoutdoors.com/Services/Publications/Magazine/Wild-About-Kansas, or contact contest coordinator Nadia Marji at [email protected].

Kansas Department of Agriculture

TOPEKA–As the summer season comes to an end, so does the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s photo contest. There is still time to get your entries submitted in one of four categories. Gift card prizes will be awarded to the top entries. Final deadline for submitting entries is 5 p.m. August 1, 2015.

Agriculture can be seen through many different lenses. Focus your camera and capture what agriculture means to you before time runs out. KDA advocates for and promotes the agriculture industry, the state’s largest industry, employer and economic contributor. Photos submitted to the contest will help tell the story of Kansas agriculture and advocate for the industry.

More information about the contest can be found at agriculture.ks.gov/photocontest. Voting will take place August 15- September 15 on KDA’s social media platforms. After submission, KDA is granted permission to use any photograph for publications, social media, websites, displays, etc. without payment or consideration from the photographer.

Follow KDA on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for more details on the contest.