Sine Die Wrap-Up
 
The Kansas Legislature returned to Topeka on Monday, May 23 for a “Veto Session #2” to redraw their congressional redistricting map. However, the Kansas Supreme Court last week decided to uphold the congressional map and reverse a district court’s ruling that it was unconstitutional due to partisan and racial gerrymandering.
 
With redistricting off the table, the Legislature only had a few other items of business on their agenda for the day. First was successfully voting to override Governor Kelly on two bills she vetoed since last adjournment:
 
·      House Bill 2387 prohibits her administration from issuing their planned request for proposal for new managed care organizations to administer and provide benefits under Medicaid. The delay to January 31, 2023 gives time for the next administration to have input on the KanCare program, should Kansas elect a new governor this November. Both Chambers secured exactly the two-thirds majority vote required for an override: 84-38 in the House and 27-10 in the Senate.
 
·      House Bill 2252 requires legislative approval before any executive branch officer from entering into a consent decree or agreement with any state or federal court regarding the enforcement of election law or the alteration of any election procedure. The House vote to override Governor Kelly’s veto was 84-37, and the Senate vote was 27-10.
 
The Legislature also gave their final approval and sent to the Governor three conference committee reports (CCRs) left over from first adjournment:
 
·      CCR on House Bill 2136 is a tax bill with four provisions not included in another tax bundle earlier this session. The bill eliminates the prepayment requirement on sales tax remittance by retailers; authorizes Atchison County to vote on a local sales tax increase; delays the implantation date for the sales tax exemption on separately stated delivery charges; and allows local governments to give property tax refunds to storefront businesses that closed due to government shutdowns during the pandemic.
 
·      CCR on Senate Bill 19 implements the established 988 Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Hotline in Kansas and directs State General Fund dollars to fund the Hotline.
 
·      CCR on House Bill 2540 amends the Uniform Controlled Substances Act and the definition of “marijuana” in the Kansas Criminal Code by exempting FDA-approved drug products containing an active ingredient derived from marijuana.
 
Rather than waiting for Sine Die – which is typically a quick and strictly ceremonial adjournment that occurs weeks after the Veto Session ends – several House members announced their retirements and that they will not be seeking reelection for another term. They include Speaker Ron Ryckman, Jr., R-Olathe, Speaker Pro Tem Blaine Finch, R-Ottawa, Tom Burroughs, D-Kansas City, Megan Lynn, R-Olathe, David French, R-Lansing, Jim Gardner, D-Topeka, Jim Kelly, R-Independence,. Steve Huebert, R-Valley Center, Richard Proehl R-Parsons, Steven Johnson, R-Assaria, Lonnie Clark, R-Junction City, Annie Kuether, D-Topeka and Marty Long, R-Ulysses
 
The Legislature officially closed out the 2022 Legislative Session and lawmakers were headed home before 3:00 p.m. Monday afternoon. The Legislative Coordinating Council will most likely meet in June to set and announce the interim committee schedule, with most beginning in late summer/early fall.