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Daily Legislative Update 🐝
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Well, that didn’t take long! Plenty of interesting things to review from yesterday’s activities in Topeka including proposed election law modifications and the small matter of banning reporters from the floor of the House.
Below is today’s morning update on published activities in the Kansas Legislature.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary
Yesterday, the Legislature saw the introduction of several significant bills and resolutions, including measures addressing advance voting deadlines, election funding transparency, and a prohibition on ranked-choice voting. Both chambers also made progress on organizational and procedural fronts, preparing for the upcoming legislative workload.
Bills and Resolutions
New Bills Introduced
SB 4: Requires advance voting ballots to be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day (currently, mail ballots must be postmarked by election day and received no later than 3 days after election day).
SB 5: Establishes the "Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act," prohibiting the use of federal funds for elections without legislative approval.
SB 6: Prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting methods in any federal, state, or local elections in Kansas.
SB 7: Adjusts township bonding authority, increasing limits based on population and extending terms for bond maturity.
SB 4: Advance Voting Deadline
Senate Bill 4 amends existing statutes to require all advance voting ballots to be returned by 7:00 PM on the day of the election. This legislative change aims to enhance the timeliness of election results by ensuring all ballots are accounted for promptly after polls close. By setting this specific deadline, election officials can streamline ballot processing and reduce delays during the counting phase.
The bill modifies the procedure for the acceptance of mailed advance ballots. Under the new provision, ballots must be in the hands of county election officers by the stipulated time, eliminating previous allowances for ballots postmarked by election day but received later. [link]
SB 5: Transparency in Election Funding
The Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act establishes strict requirements on the acceptance and usage of federal funds in Kansas elections. It proposes that such funds may only be utilized if explicitly approved by the state legislature, ensuring a controlled and transparent funding process for election-related activities. This bill also defines permissible funding sources and establishes violations as a felony.
As an example, voter registration programs funded or organized at the federal level would be prohibited from operating in Kansas without explicit approval from the state legislature. [link]
SB 6: Ranked-Choice Voting Ban
Senate Bill 6 prohibits the implementation of ranked-choice voting (RCV) in all Kansas elections. The legislation clearly defines RCV as a voting system in which voters rank candidates by preference, with multiple tabulation rounds eliminating the lowest-ranked candidates until one achieves a majority.
Additionally, the bill invalidates any prior ordinances or regulations permitting RCV, making such methods unlawful within the state. [link]
This legislation increases the bonding capacity of Kansas townships based on population thresholds, empowering local governments to finance larger infrastructure projects. The new provisions raise the percentage of assessed tangible valuation allowed for bond issuance, providing additional resources for community development.[link]
Concurrent Resolutions Introduced
SCR 1602: Immigration Cooperation Resolution
Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602 calls on Governor Laura Kelly to fully support federal immigration enforcement initiatives. The resolution emphasizes the importance of collaboration between state and federal agencies to address issues like public safety, human trafficking, and resource allocation.
The resolution also highlights the potential role of state resources, such as the Kansas National Guard, in assisting federal efforts to secure borders and enforce immigration laws. By endorsing this cooperative approach, the Legislature aims to reinforce Kansas’s commitment to upholding federal laws while addressing local concerns related to immigration. [link]
House of Representatives
Session Highlights for January 14
The House of Representatives convened at 11:00 a.m. with Speaker Pro Tem Blake Carpenter presiding.
118 of 125 members were present. Representatives Ruiz and Waymaster were excused due to verified illness, while others were excused by the Speaker for legislative business or personal reasons.
Legislation Referred to Committees:
Key bills referred include:
HB 2006 and HB 2008: Referred to the Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee.
HB 2007: Referred to the Appropriations Committee.
Committee Changes: Representative B. Carpenter was appointed to temporarily replace Representative A. Smith on the Rules and Journal Committee for January 16, 2025.
Committee Updates
Committee | Next Meeting | Agenda |
|---|---|---|
Appropriations | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:00 AM | Joint meeting with Senate Ways and Means. Briefing on Governor's Budget Recommendation by Adam Profitt, Division of the Budget. |
Federal and State Affairs | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:00 AM | No meetings scheduled. |
Financial Institutions and Pensions | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:00 AM | Request for bill introductions. Kansas Banking Industry update by Shawn Mitchell (Community Bankers Association) and Alex Orel (Kansas Bankers Association). |
Legislative Modernization | On call of the chair | Agenda to be announced when the meeting is called. |
Local Government | On call of the chair | Agenda to be announced when the meeting is called. |
Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Budget hearings: Kansas Board of Veterinary Examiners and Board of Accountancy. |
Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Joint meeting with Senate Commerce. Presentations on Network Kansas and K-State 105. |
Education | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Request for committee draft and update on Office of Literacy initiatives by Dr. Cynthia Lane. |
Health and Human Services | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Presentations by Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. |
General Government Budget | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 3:30 PM | Budget hearings: Office of Administrative Hearings and Judicial Council. |
Judiciary | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 3:30 PM | Kansas Department of Corrections updates by Jeff Zmuda. Kansas Legal Services overview by Matt Keenan. |
Taxation | Friday, January 17, 2025, 3:30 PM | No meetings scheduled. |
Transportation | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Bill introductions and presentation on digital identification by Kansas Department of Revenue and AAMVA representatives. |
Senate
Session Highlights for January 14
The Senate convened at 2:30 p.m. with President Ty Masterson presiding.
39 of 40 senators were present. Senator J.R. Claeys was excused.
Legislation Introduced:
SB 4: Requires advance voting ballots to be returned by 7:00 p.m. on election day.
SB 5: Establishes the "Transparency in Revenues Underwriting Elections Act," restricting the use of federal funds for elections without legislative approval.
SB 6: Prohibits the use of ranked-choice voting methods in all Kansas elections.
SB 7: Adjusts township bonding authority, increasing limits based on population and extending terms for bond maturity.
SCR 1602: A concurrent resolution encouraging cooperation with federal immigration enforcement initiatives.
Reports Received:
Several state reports were officially submitted to the Senate, including:
Kansas Water Authority Annual Report.
Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation Unit Annual Report from the Attorney General.
Inflationary Adjustments to the IDD Waiver Report from the Department for Aging and Disability Services.
Appointments and Referrals:
Key appointments referred to committees include:
Kathy Wolfe-Moore to the State Board of Regents (Education Committee).
Christopher Kennedy as Secretary of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (Confirmation Oversight Committee).
All introduced bills and resolutions were referred to their respective committees for further consideration.
Committee Updates
Committee | Next Meeting | Agenda |
|---|---|---|
Agriculture and Natural Resources | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 8:30 AM | Request for bill introductions. Presentation on Kansas Agriculture and Trade by Kelsey Olson (Kansas Department of Agriculture). |
Public Health and Welfare | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 8:30 AM | Request for bill introductions. Updates on KDADS by Secretary Laura Howard and Targeted Case Management by Michele Heydon. |
Transportation | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 8:30 AM | Bill introductions. Presentation on digital identification by Kansas Department of Revenue and AAMVA representatives. |
Assessment and Taxation | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:30 AM | Hearing on Senate concurrent resolution regarding property valuation growth limits (pending introduction and referral). |
Financial Institutions and Insurance | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:30 AM | Request for bill introductions. Kansas Banking Industry update by Shawn Mitchell (Community Bankers Association) and Alex Orel (Kansas Bankers Association). |
Government Efficiency | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 9:30 AM | Request for bill introductions. Briefing on state government budget and personnel, as well as administrative rules and regulations. |
Local Government, Transparency, and Ethics | Friday, January 17, 2025 | No meetings scheduled. |
Federal and State Affairs | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:30 AM | Request for bill introductions. |
Judiciary | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:30 AM | Updates from Kansas Department of Corrections by Jeff Zmuda and Kansas Legal Services overview by Matt Keenan. |
Ways and Means | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 10:00 AM | Joint meeting with House Appropriations. Briefing on Governor’s Budget Recommendation by Adam Profitt (Division of the Budget). |
Commerce | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Joint meeting with House Commerce. Presentations on Network Kansas and K-State 105. |
Education | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Request for bill introductions. Presentation on K-12 achievements and outcomes by Matthew Willis (KLRD). |
Utilities | Thursday, January 16, 2025, 1:30 PM | Presentation on Grain Belt Express by Invenergy representatives, Kimberly Svaty, and Kansas Corporation Commission staff. |
Upcoming House and Senate Actions
(January 15, 2025)
House
Convening at 9:00 AM (Pro Forma).
Senate
Convening at 8:00 AM (Pro Forma).
Did You Know?
Did you know that ranked-choice voting (RCV) could reshape the way we approach elections? Unlike traditional voting systems, RCV allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring that the winner has broader support rather than just a narrow plurality. Advocates argue that this system not only reduces political polarization but also encourages candidates to build consensus by appealing to a wider range of voters.
A recent analysis by FairVote highlights that jurisdictions using RCV often experience more civil campaigns, as candidates have an incentive to become voters' second or third choice, not just their first. While not without its critics, ranked-choice voting is gaining traction as a potential solution to some of the challenges in modern democracy. Learn more about its impact and ongoing debates here.
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Buzz as we continue to bring you comprehensive updates from the Kansas State Legislature! If you have any ideas or feedback just let us know.
