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- Topeka Buzz: Thursday, January 16
Topeka Buzz: Thursday, January 16
Remember when candidates were saying they support the voters' will on abortion? Looks like the proposed bills weren't listening. Also: a flurry of special interest tax cuts. And a proposed constitutional amendment.Apologies, folks–this is a long issue!
Jason Anderson
January 16, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 19 minutes
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Daily Legislative Update 🐝
Thursday, January 16, 2025
Ten new bills were introduced in the House and Senate today, including two abortion-restrictive proposals (HB2009, HB2010) and five various forms of tax cuts (HB2011, HB2012, HB2013, HB2014, SB10). Plus, the State of the State and State of the Judiciary addresses. And a proposed constitutional amendment. Whew!
Below is today’s morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.
Table of Contents
Top Stories of the Day
Governor Kelly's State of the State Address
Governor Laura Kelly outlined a bold and optimistic vision for Kansas during her State of the State address on January 15. Speaking to a joint session of the Legislature, she highlighted her administration’s achievements and ambitious plans for the future, emphasizing the importance of balancing innovation with the preservation of Kansas’s core values.
Kelly celebrated several milestones, including six consecutive years of balanced budgets and fully funded public schools, the elimination of the state sales tax on groceries, and significant strides in economic development. "Kansas has never been in better financial shape," Kelly stated, noting the $2 billion in tax cuts enacted during her tenure and record-breaking infrastructure investments in roads, bridges, and broadband connectivity.
Kansas has never been in better financial shape. Responsible, steady governance has earned Kansas recognition nationwide for our economic achievements and for our education system.
Key to her vision is the creation of an Office of Early Childhood to consolidate fragmented services currently spread across multiple state agencies. "Eliminating unnecessary government bureaucracy, cutting red tape, and making it easier for parents and businesses to support our kids…is a commonsense idea we can all get behind," she said. The Governor also pledged to continue tackling childhood hunger by providing free school lunches to over 35,000 students.
Turning her focus to long-term challenges, Kelly addressed the state’s dwindling water supply, proposing a "multigenerational promise" to stabilize the Ogallala Aquifer and improve water management. She called for creating an Office of Natural Resources to centralize efforts and streamline policies.
Kelly’s speech concluded with a call for bipartisan cooperation. "I’m not asking you not to love your political party–I’m just asking you to love your state a little more. That’s the only way we build that future we all want for Kansas."
State of the Judiciary Address
Chief Justice Marla Luckert addressed the Kansas Legislature on January 15, emphasizing the urgent need to close the justice gap and make legal services more accessible. She highlighted ongoing efforts to simplify court procedures for self-represented litigants, who make up the majority of civil cases, and proposed measures to ensure equitable access to justice statewide.
A major point of concern was the shortage of attorneys in rural Kansas, where many counties lack adequate legal representation. Luckert called for programs to attract and retain attorneys in these underserved areas, including tuition reimbursement for law students who commit to rural practice.
Luckert concluded by praising collaborative efforts among government branches to enhance child welfare services and implement family treatment courts. She urged continued innovation and investment to ensure Kansas courts remain effective and equitable for all citizens.
Abortion Laws
Two proposed bills, HB 2009 and HB 2010, aim to significantly alter abortion regulations in Kansas. HB 2009 would restrict abortions entirely except in cases where the life of the pregnant woman is at risk, with enforcement through civil lawsuits that could result in damages starting at $10,000. HB 2010 introduces criminal penalties for the "unlawful performance of an abortion" and "unlawful destruction of a fertilized embryo," categorizing them as severity level 1 person felonies, which carry severe penalties, including potential life imprisonment. The bills collectively seek to redefine the legal framework around abortion, prohibit the use of abortifacient drugs, restrict fetal tissue use, and align Kansas laws with a broader anti-abortion stance while attracting significant public and legal scrutiny.
Proposed Amendment: Property Tax Valuation Limits
The proposed SCR 1603 aims to limit annual increases in property valuation for tax purposes to 3%, or a lower percentage set by law, for real property and mobile homes used as residences. This would prevent drastic year-over-year tax hikes while providing exceptions for changes such as new construction, ownership transfers, and corrections to errors. Proponents highlight this as a necessary step to protect Kansas homeowners from unpredictable tax burdens.
This proposal has drawn comparisons to California's Proposition 13, enacted in 1978, which similarly capped property tax increases and linked new tax valuations to the point of sale. While Proposition 13 succeeded in stabilizing tax bills for property owners, it also significantly impacted local government revenues, leading to funding challenges for schools and public services. If adopted, the amendment would appear on the November 2025 ballot.
The Senate is scheduled to discuss this proposal in today’s session.
Bills and Resolutions
New Bills Introduced
House:
HB 2009 & HB 2010: Legislation prohibiting abortion procedures except under specific conditions and criminalizing the destruction of fertilized embryos. Referred to Health and Human Services Committee.
HB 2011: Proposal to decrease property tax rates imposed by school districts. Referred to Taxation Committee.
HB 2012: Income tax credit for ethanol fuel sales. Referred to Taxation Committee.
HB 2013: Removal of sales tax on cable and television services. Referred to Taxation Committee.
HB 2014: Exemptions for certain personal property like watercraft and off-road vehicles. Referred to Taxation Committee.
Senate:
SB 8: Establishes penalties for unlawful passing of stationary vehicles with warning signals. Referred to Transportation Committee.
SB 9: Extends the deadline for filing U.S. public land survey reports with the state historical society. Referred to Transportation Committee.
SB 10: Property tax exemptions for watercraft and other personal property. Referred to Assessment and Taxation Committee.
SB 11: Mandatory CPR training for 911 operators. Referred to Public Health and Welfare Committee.
SCR 1603: Proposed constitutional amendment to limit property tax valuation increases to 3% annually. Scheduled for hearing on January 16.