February 11, 2020
Kansas Legislative Update
This week begins the fifth week of the Kansas Legislative Session. Activity last week still saw many bills being introduced in both chambers and committee hearings are plentiful.
The constitutional amendment "Value Them Both" restricts the Kansas Supreme Court's ruling stating abortion is an absolute right. The constitutional amendment resolution passed the Senate last week. The amendment was defeated this past Friday by the House of Representatives. The defeat appears to have complex strategies for the foreseeable future at the State Capitol.
Committee activity of interest this week includes:
- The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee will discuss SB283 implementing sports wagering in Kansas.
- The House Financial Institutions and Pensions Committee will discuss HB2503, Gov. Kelly's plan amortizing the state and school KPERS unfunded actuarial liability over a 25-year period.
- Randy Phebus, K-State Food Science Institute, will provide testimony regulating the sale of raw milk in Kansas. The hearing on SB300 will be Wednesday in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
- The Senate Ways and Means Committee Subcommittee on Agriculture and Natural Resources will hold a Staff Briefing and Hearing on K-State Research and Extension FY 2021 budget recommendations.
Kansas Legislative Session Review Sessions will be from noon to 1 p.m. in the K-State Student Union on the dates below. These are brown bag lunch sessions open to all campus faculty, staff and students.
- Feb. 14, Union Room 209.
- Feb. 28, Union Room 209.
- March 6, Union Room 209.
- March 13, Union Cottonwood Room.
- March 20, Union Cottonwood Room.
- March 27, Union Cottonwood Room.
- April 3, Union Cottonwood Room.
- April 10, Union Cottonwood Room.
For information and questions regarding the 2020 Legislature, contact the Office of Governmental Relations at kstategr@k-state.edu or 785-532-6227