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- Topeka Buzz: Tuesday, January 14
Topeka Buzz: Tuesday, January 14
Today's morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.
Jason Anderson
January 14, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 7 minutes
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Daily Legislative Update 🐝
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Hello, supporters! Below is today’s morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.
Each day, we will provide a structured overview of the activities in the Kansas House and Senate, ensuring that you are up-to-date with legislative proceedings, committee schedules, and key actions.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Yesterday marked the opening of the 2025 legislative session, with key leadership re-elections in both chambers. The House and Senate introduced critical bills, including HB 2007, which proposes a new state budget focused on fiscal responsibility and transparency, and HCR 5001, calling for congressional term limits. Committee meetings are ramping up today, covering topics like state budget overviews, the Grain Belt Express project, and digital identification initiatives.
Bills
New Bills Introduced
HB 2006: Concerns the inclusion of certain Department of Corrections security officers in the Kansas Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.
HB 2007: Appropriations for fiscal years 2025-2027 for state agencies.
HB 2008: Expands retirement benefits definitions for juvenile corrections officers within the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System.
HB 2006: Department of Corrections Retirement Benefits
The bill described is likely focused on enhancing retirement and pension benefits for certain security officers within the Kansas Department of Corrections. The text of the bill has not yet been published. [link]
HB 2007: Proposed Budget Overview
House Bill 2007 lays out appropriations for the fiscal years 2025 through 2027, including detailed allocations for state agencies and adjustments to taxation mechanisms. Notably, the bill maintains a focus on fiscal responsibility while addressing capital improvements and funding for key public services.
This is a large bill–over 300 pages in length. It will likely be the topic of next week’s Capitol Bee newsletter. [link]
HB 2008: Retirement Benefits for Juvenile Corrections Officers
House Bill 2008 redefines "security officer" within the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) to include juvenile corrections officers. This change allows these employees to benefit from earlier retirement dates, enhanced retirement benefits, and revised employer contribution rates. The amendment acknowledges the demanding nature of their roles and aims to improve workforce retention in correctional facilities. [link]
House of Representatives
Session Highlights
The House convened at 2:00 PM for the first day of the 2025 legislative session.
Members-elect were sworn in by Chief Justice Marla Luckert of the Kansas Supreme Court.
Representative Dan Hawkins was re-elected as Speaker of the House, delivering an address emphasizing faith, unity, and civility in governance.
Representative Blake Carpenter was unanimously elected as Speaker Pro Tem.
HCR 5001: Term Limits for Congress
House Concurrent Resolution 5001 represents Kansas’s call for a national convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. The resolution aims to propose an amendment to establish term limits for members of Congress, addressing concerns about power concentration and the influence of special interests. The resolution emphasizes the principle that elected officials should remain accountable to the people and calls for fairer elections free from disproportionate external influence.
HCR 5001 specifies that Kansas delegates to such a convention must include individuals from state and local offices, excluding those with past or present federal roles. This approach reflects Kansas’s commitment to a representative and balanced process. The resolution underscores the importance of widespread support for any constitutional amendments, requiring ratification by 38 states to ensure national consensus. [link]
Committee Updates
The following committees are reviewing introductions and rules today (January 14):
Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Commerce, Labor and Economic Development
Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications
Federal and State Affairs
Health and Human Services
K-12 Education Budget
Legislative Modernization
Social Services Budget
Taxation
Transportation and Public Safety Budget
Transportation
Welfare Reform
Some committees have additional scheduled activities:
Commerce, Labor and Economic Development: Reviewing the interim report of the 2024 Special Committee on Foreign Trade and Regulatory Sandboxes and the 2024 Special Committee on Available and Affordable Housing
Corrections and Juvenile Justice: Guest speaker Jeff Zmuda, Secretary, Kansas Department of Corrections
Education: Reviewing implementation of 2024 education legislation by the State Board of Education
Elections: Guest speakers Mark Skoglund, Executive Director, Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission; and Josh Ney, Krieghauser Ney Law Group
Federal and State Affairs: Kansas Open Records Act overview
Higher Education Budget: Budget overview and presentation from the Kansas Legislative Research Department
K-12 Education Budget: Presentation on the Education Article in the Kansas Constitution and a review of 2024 education legislative changes
Taxation: Update on consensus revenue forecasts for state revenues
Transportation and Public Safety Budget: Hearings on budgeting for the Emergency Medical Services Board and Sentencing Commission
Water: Presentation by Connie Owen, Director, Kansas Water Office
Welfare Reform: Preview of bill on Reorganization of Public Assistance Program Sections by the Office of Revisor of Statutes
Senate
Session Highlights
The Senate also convened at 2:00 PM to begin the 2025 session.
All members-elect took the oath of office administered by Justice Dan Biles.
Senator Ty Masterson was re-elected as President of the Senate, emphasizing wisdom, civility, and collaboration in his address.
Senator Tim Shallenburger was elected as Vice President of the Senate.
New Bills Introduced
Committee Updates
Key committee meetings scheduled for today (January 14, 2025):
Transportation: Introductions and a presentation on Kansas Highway Patrol operations.
Financial Institutions and Insurance: Overview and updates from the State Bank Commissioner.
Government Efficiency: Briefing on state government budget and personnel (January 16).
Upcoming House and Senate Actions
(January 14, 2025)
House
Convening at 11:00 AM.
Key actions:
Reading and correction of the journal.
Reference of new bills and resolutions to committees.
Senate
Convening at 2:30 PM.
Key actions:
Introduction and reference of new bills and resolutions.
Reports from standing and select committees.
Committee Calendars
Most committees are still ramping up (and we’re still working on finding the best format to communicate what’s happening across dozens of committees). This section will expand in future issues.
Did You Know?
Both chambers operate with standing and non-standing committees that play a critical role in shaping legislation before it reaches the floor. Public input is often welcomed during committee hearings, offering a chance to directly impact legislative outcomes.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Buzz as we continue to bring you comprehensive updates from the Kansas State Legislature! We’re still ironing out the kinks a bit on formatting and the level of detail to include, so if you have any ideas or feedback just let us know!