2022 Veto Session Preview
April 25, 2022
Kansas lawmakers return to Topeka today to begin the 2022 Kansas Legislative Veto Session after a three-week spring break. Both House and Senate Republican leaders have stated that little work remains on their agenda and hope to be adjourned by the end of the week. That would give the Legislature just enough time to pass an omnibus budget, attempt any veto overrides, and wrap up some outstanding conference committee reports. It would also save some days if they need to return to address the Congressional redistricting maps depending on how the court rules.
The Consensus Revenue Estimating Group, made up of university economists and state budget officials, met on April 20 to revise the November 2021 State General Fund forecast revenues. They announced that the state is expected to see a $340 million increase in receipts over previous estimates for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. This takes into consideration all spending approved in the budget so far this year. However, the roughly $1 billion appropriation for schools has not yet passed the legislature. Budget leaders are hoping both the omnibus budget and K-12 education funding bill can be passed early this week.
During the break, Governor Kelly signed over 20 bills into law and vetoed seven. Most of the chatter around overrides are on two education bills related to women in sports and parents’ rights.
Senate Bill 160 requires that students participating in interscholastic, intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic sports sponsored by public educational institutions be based on one’s biological sex. The bill passed the House 74-39 and passed the Senate 25-13.
Senate Bill 58 lists 12 rights reserved by the State for parents of children in K-12 education dealing with the right to direct the education, care, upbringing, and moral or religious training of the child. The bill passed the House 67-48 and passed the Senate 23-15.
Neither vote was veto proof which requires a two-thirds majority of 87 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate. It is unlikely an attempt to override will be successful.
The Governor vetoed five additional bills over the April break:
Governor Kelly continues to push for a reduction of the state sales tax on food. The House and Senate Tax Conference Committee has agreed to a plan set out in HB 2106 that would reduce the sales tax on food to 4% in 2023, 2% in 2024 and 0% in 2025. House and Senate Leadership have not indicated if this proposal will be brough up a vote. If the bill does pass, a trailer proviso is expected in the omnibus budget to provide additional funds to STAR Bonds district, so that they are not negatively affected by the reduction in the sales tax on food.
Several conference committee reports were postponed during the regular session and could be taken up this week. The more likely ones are on sports wagering, medical marijuana, autonomous vehicles, and rural housing. Aside from these issues, other conference committees can continue to meet during the veto session and send any remaining bills to the floor for final approvals.
Today marks Day 75 of the 2022 Kansas Legislative Session, 15 shy of the statutory 90-day limit. The length of Veto Session and the date of Sine Dine-the official last day of the Legislative Session-depends on the passage of Congressional redistricting maps. A decision expected today and will affect the length and tenor of Veto Session. Being an election year for the House, legislators are anxious to get home on the campaign trail.
