The start of the 2022 Legislative Session is upon us! On Monday, January 10, the 2022 Kansas Legislature convened in Topeka. We are hitting the ground running and are looking forward to representing your interests in Topeka. To that end, please see a Session Preview of what we believe may happen in the Legislature in 2022.
Should you have questions, do not hesitate to contact our office. Thank you!
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2022 Kansas Legislative Session Began Monday; Several Key Issues Expected to be Addressed
After an extremely busy summer and fall, (filled with over 100 days of interim committees, and a Special Session) the Legislature will start the second year a two-year Session – otherwise known as a “Carryover year.” This means that most bills that did not advance in 2021 will remain viable in 2022. Specifically:
- 769 bills were introduced during the 2021 Session (315 in the Senate and 454 in the House).
- 601 bills will carry over to the 2022 Session (252 in the Senate and 349 in the House)
- A total of 116 bills were considered in 2021 that became law (15.1%).
Further, the 2022 Session immediately precedes a significant election year in Kansas. In addition to all 125 members of the Kansas House of Representatives who must stand for reelection, all statewide officers (Governor/Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, and Insurance Commissioner) are on the ballot, as well.
Kansas remains a divided state, with Democrat Laura Kelly serving as Governor and Republican super- majorities controlling both the House (86 Republicans, 39 Democrats) and the Senate (29 Republicans and 11 Democrats). And, if the last few months are any indication, both the legislature and the Governor’s office will increasingly be looking for political “wins” against the other as Election Day draws closer.
Healthcare
Due in large part to the COVID-19 pandemic, topics such as workforce, telehealth and mental health will continue to be huge topics in the various health committees that will meet throughout the Session. Workforce issues may appear sooner rather than later, as many in the healthcare community are calling upon lawmakers to quickly extend and/or codify provisions that were part of two Executive Orders the Governor issued last week that would help ease the pressure that has been put on hospitals and long-term care facilities because of the pandemic. There has also been expressed interest by several lawmakers who hope to build on various interim committees that have met throughout the summer and fall that have taken a deep-dive on telehealth and mental health issues.
Federal Stimulus Fund Distribution
Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 Kansas has received $1.1 billion in unencumbered funds, which is being allocated at the direction of the SPARK Committee. This committee of 7 – of which 4 are Republican leadership and their appointees and 3 of which are appointees of the Governor – are currently setting up a system to help distribute the funds across various areas such as economic revitalization, health & education, connectivity, and efficiency & modernization. To date, SPARK has only allocated $107 million. Although not an “official” part of the legislative process, there will be an increased emphasis on spending these funds over the next several months. Beyond ARPA dollars, the recent passage of the Federal Infrastructure bill means Kansas will also allocate a significant amount
of additional federal funds for use on creating, improving or expanding broadband, electric vehicle infrastructure, roadway improvements and water/sewage systems.
New Members Join the Legislature
Several new members have joined the Kansas House over the past several months. These lawmakers were selected by local Democratic or Republican precinct committee members to fill the remainder of the terms of the former Legislators they replaced.
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Rep. Cyndi Howerton (R-Wichita) replaces Rep. Ron Howard (R-Wichita) (deceased). Committee Assignments: Social Services Budget, Corrections & Juvenile Justice, Water.
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Rep. Heather Meyer (D-Overland Park) replaced Rep. Brett Parker (D-Overland Park) (retirement). Committee Assignments: Elections, Insurance & Pensions, Health & Hyman Services, Water.
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Rep. Dan Osman (D-Overland Park) replaces Rep. Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park) (resigned). Committee Assignments: Elections, Insurance & Pensions, Corrections & Juvenile Justice, Financial Institutions & Rural Development.
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Rep. Bill Clifford (R-Garden City) replaces Rep. Russ Jennings (R-Lakin) (deceased).
- Committee Assignments: Social Services Budget, Health & Human Services, Veterans and Military, Local Government.
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Rep. Chuck Schmidt (D-Wichita) replaces Rep. Elizabeth Bishop (resigned). Committee Assignments: Taxation, Education, Water.
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Rep. Leah Howell (R-Derby) temporarily replaces Rep. Blake Carpenter (on military leave). Committee Assignments: Not yet listed.
Look for our Bill Tracker for the items left over from last session and newly introduced legislation that we will be keeping our eyes on.
