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K-State Today

March 10, 2020

Legislative Update

Submitted by Sue Peterson

This week begins the second half of the Kansas legislative session. The Legislature reconvened March 4 working toward the first adjournment on April 3.

On Wednesday, March 4, K-State Athletic Director Gene Taylor testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on Senate Bill 474. This legislation would allow Kansas to compensate student-athletes for the use of their name, image and likeness. The legislation would not be effective in Kansas until the attorney general affirms 15 other states enact similar legislation. The Senate Commerce Committee will discuss the bill on Tuesday, March 10. The testimony can be found here.

The Senate Ways and Means Higher Education Subcommittee reported their recommendations to the Senate Ways and Means Committee on March 4.

The Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee recommendations:

  • Consider adding $12.3 million to the block grant to Kansas Board of Regents at Omnibus bill decisions in the Veto Session.
  • Consider adding $5 million for the Global Institute for Food, Health and Biosecurity at Omnibus bill decisions in the Veto Session.
  • Add $2.5 million to the Comprehensive Grant Program for student need-based aid.
  • Add $2.5 million for the Kansas Access Partnership Grant program for need-based aid at the Kansas Board of Regents. A chart of budget actions is available here.

This week the House Federal and State Affairs Committee will begin hearings on House Bill 2671, authorizing sports wagering under the Kansas expanded lottery act. The proponents will be heard on Wednesday, March 11, with opponents and neutral conferees heard on Thursday, March 12.

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.

  • 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 Government Relations at kstategr@k-state.edu or 785-532-6227.