Legislative Update Week 8
Meeting set about SB 148, "proprietary" specifications in school design and construction, & Legislature returns to Topeka ready to work
The lobbyist and attorney representing the roofing client who drafted SB 148 and the companion bill HB 2207 have reached out to AIA Kansas Executive Director, Terry Humphrey, to discuss our profession's opposition of the bills. Terry and a team will meet with them next week to discuss the bill and listen to their position and request. AIA Kansas' Governmental Affairs Committee will be updated on the meeting and provide guidance for the next steps.
The Legislature took a long weekend after Turnaround Day and returned to Topeka ready to work. Medicaid expansion roundtables, Farm Bureau's insurance bill, and tax cuts were front and center during this short week. The House debated and passed the tax bill that the Senate blessed about a month ago. The tax bill also included about $44 million worth of food sales tax reductions and an addition of $24.5 million in new sales tax on Internet purchases.
Bills of Interest
SB 148
was not taken up for discussion and final action in committee. Additional organizations opposed the bill (including the Kansas Roofing Association), and the Chairman was not comfortable moving forward with the bill. Since no action was taken and it didn't move out of committee, the bill no longer has the chance to become law this session. The similar bill in the House (
HB 2207
) also did not meet the Turnaround deadline.
HB 2115
, which requires verification of certain hours billed by contractors under certain contracts, was introduced in the House Federal and State Affairs Committee. This is an exempt committee so the turnaround deadline does not apply to this bill. We will continue to monitor it.
HB 2006
(requiring the department of commerce to create a database of economic development incentive program information) was amended (requiring a report on each program every three years) and passed the House floor. It passed the House (yeas - 122 and nays - 0). Senate Commerce committee has scheduled three hearings for the bill (March 11, 12, and 13 at 8:30am.
Listen here
.
The review of tax credits, tax exemptions and economic development programs bill (
HB 2043
) is on the general orders in the House.
Lastly,
HB 2147
was passed by the House (yeas - 123 and nays - 0). It is the bill that will increase bond maturity limitations in the Kansas rural incentive district act. Senate Commerce committee has a hearing scheduled for March 14 at 8:30am.
Listen here
.
If you have any questions regarding these bills, please
email Terry
.
