ENGAGE, EXPLORE, EVOLVE with AIA Kansas
March 23, 2019
Legislative Update Week 10
Senate Commerce committee favorably passes HB 2006 as amended; David Toland was not recommended for confirmation

After two days of debate HB 2006 passed out of the Senate Commerce committee favorably. HB 2147 was amended onto HB 2006. Once the new amended version of the bill is available, it will be shared. To read the bills in original form, click below.

On Thursday morning, the Senate Commerce Committee voted to recommend to not confirm the appointment of David Toland of Iola as Kansas Secretary of Commerce. The vote came after a second day of contentious committee hearing over Gov. Laura Kelly’s appointment. The nomination now goes to the full Senate where the heavily Republican majority puts Toland’s confirmation in jeopardy. Toland is being criticized for partisanship and criticism of members of the Legislature in social media postings and speeches within the past year. Click here to read an article about the hearings.
House Rural Revitalization Committee heard about climate change
The House Rural Revitalization Committee heard a briefing on the impact of climate change on rural Kansas from Mary Knapp, the Assistant State Climatologist based out of K-State's Agronomy Department. She described the effect that the average first frost date and last freeze has on the different parts of the state, particularly in the agricultural sector (as it impacts what crops farmers can raise). If freeze dates shift with changes in the climate, then the state may see changes in the vegetation that can survive. She noted that 2012 was a devastating year for some farmers due to freezes at unanticipated times.
Most of the impacts discussed dealt with agricultural impacts, although there was some discussion about the impacts if higher temperatures on individuals unable to run their air conditioning adequately to compensate for it. This prompted the idea for a hot weather rule for utilities (similar to the cold weather rule they already have to follow).

Later in the meeting, transportation infrastructure came up and legislators questioned whether the state needs to set aside more resources for managing infrastructure maintenance given the temperature swings and the wear and tear that causes on roads.

Dr. Charles Rice also spoke at the committee meeting. He discussed erosion control on agricultural land and flooding that can occur due to soil erosion. He mentioned that flood abatement plans in cities are based on standards from the 1950s and that it would be advisable to rethink those standards.

Requested to weigh in on SB 168 (K ansas home inspectors professional competency and financial responsibility act; establishing the home inspectors registration fee fun)
Senator Holland asked Terry Humphrey, AIA Kansas Executive Director, for our opinion about a draft substitute for Senate Bill 168. The draft substitute was sent to the AIA Kansas Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC). The GAC Chairman found no concerns with the new language that would exempt architects from the requirements of the act. This was communicated to both Senator Holland and the Kansas Association of Realtors. SB 168 was not taken up in the committee hearing so the substitute draft was not introduced.

Committee seeks passage of a budget amendment to study viability options for the Docking State Office Building
The Kansas Legislature’s building committee agreed on Monday to seek a budget amendment allowing a state agency to study viability options for retaining a portion of Docking State Office building. There appears to be interest among members of the joint House and Senate committee to do something, but what exactly is unclear. The chairman hopes the committee can sort through options for the building when the Legislature convenes in January 2020. Click here to read an article about this.
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. The similar bill in the House (HB 2207) also did not meet the Turnaround deadline. While these bills are not likely to advance, we will monitor committee meetings to ensure that it won't be amended into another bill or introduced in an exempt committee.

SB 168 was not taken up for discussion and final action in the Senate committee.

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.

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.

If you have any questions regarding these bills, please email Terry .
About AIA Kansas
AIA Kansas is a state chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

The organization provides services and programs to meet the professional development needs and interests of Kansas architects and to develop public awareness for the value of architects and architecture. 

Our 700-plus members are leaders in
building healthy, sustainable communities
that will serve our citizens into the future.

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