ENGAGE, EXPLORE, EVOLVE with AIA Kansas
March 29, 2019
Legislative Update Week 11
Toland's confirmation unknown; House and Senate spend time debating bills

Abortion has now become an issue for David Toland. Thrive Allen County, the organization that Toland created and led, accepted two small grants from the Tiller Foundation. This has caused Kansans for Life and Virginia Crossland-Macha, the vice-chair of the Kansas Republican Party, to lobby against him. The Senate will vote on his confirmation on Monday, and it is expected to be very close. Click here to read an article about this.

To listen live to the Senate debate David Toland's confirmation on Monday, April 1 at 10am, click here .

Terry Humphrey, AIA Kansas Executive Director, reached out to David Toland to share information about architects and the profession. She requested to have a meeting with him during the week of April 23rd (assuming he is confirmed).
The legislature spent Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday on the floor debating bills so that they can go to conference committee next week. House-Senate conference committees have three days next week (Monday - Wednesday) to reach agreements on bills ahead of next Friday’s spring break.
The Senate’s Republican leadership adopted a strategy that may kill chances for Medicaid expansion this year, agreeing to schedule an interim committee to study the effect of Medicaid expansion. This means it would be off the table until next year.
Governor Laura Kelly issued her first veto Monday, for a bill that could affect the income taxes or grocery bills of nearly every Kansan. The Legislature must now decide whether to try to override the veto. Supporters of the bill will need to find more votes to do so. Click here to read an article about the veto and possible override.
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.

www.aiaks.org | 800-444-9853 | 785-357-5308 |   i nfo@aiaks.org