Dear Friends: This week bills started moving through the committee process. The Senate debated and voted on 11 bills this week. We also confirmed Lana Gordon as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Congratulations to Lana! |
EDUCATION AND PERSONAL ACTIVITIES
|
Congratulations to the Washburn Rural Middle School (WRMS) Eighth Grade Knowledge Master Open team for their first place finish in the state!
The Knowledge Master Open is an academic competition. Over 3000 schools compete with 45,000 participants from the US and several foreign countries. The WRMS team placed first in Kansas and 29th out of the 508 teams in the nation. The team members and sponsors are: Olivia Babin, Nick Beasley, Justin Beteta, Jacob Brase, Kevin Burggemeyer, Krystal Cheung, Maggie Hall, Sid Hegde, Braeden Ingold, Vineet Kallanagowder, John Katz, Avery Munns, Sam Nabb, Shannon Nelson, Jordan Turner and Jane Yu. Their sponsor is Ted Ensley (WRMS Teacher). ***********************************************
Thank you to Maureen Cummins for educating me on the Second Chance Animal Refuge Society (S.C.A.R.S.). This is a no-kill, refuge organization for dogs. Please visit the S.C.A.R.S. website for more information.
********************************************************
|
|
| A resolution was presented congratulating the University of Kansas Medical Center on receiving the National Cancer Institute Designation. Dr. Roy Jensen, director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center, led the drive for the designation, which was granted in July 2012. Here are some fast facts about the University of Kansas:
We were honored to have Dr. Jensen join us for this recognition. Please see the picture on the right.
The Senate confirmed Lana Gordon, Kansas Department of Labor Secretary. THE VOTE WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 26 - This bill will add uniform definitions to current law regarding existing limited lines insurance products, including crop insurance, title insurance, travel insurance, pre-need funeral insurance and bail bond insurance. THE VOTE WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 19 - This bill was requested by Attorney General Derek Schmidt and the Attorney General's Senior Consumer Protection Advisory Council on which I serve. This bill will amend the crime of mistreatment of a dependent adult to include misappropriation of a dependent adult's physical or financial resources. It also clarifies that the resources may include moneys held in a personal or joint account and also provides for a specific definition of "undue influence." THE VOTE WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 16 - This bill would create the Kansas Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization Act (Kansas RICO Act). The bill also amends the criminal street gangs definitions statute. THE VOTE WAS 37-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 40 - This bill was introduced at the request of the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association (KCDAA). It will change the phrase "are unfavorable to" to "do not exonerate" in the part of the law addressing the results of testing with regard to a person convicted of first-degree murder or rape when they petition the court for forensic DNA testing of certain biological material. THE VOTE WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 61 - This bill was requested by Attorney General Derek Schmidt. It would create or amend several statutes related to the issue of human trafficking. The explanation of the bill is 9 pages long, and the bill itself is 98 pages. The fines in the bill would be directed to the Human Trafficking Victim Assistance Fund. The revenue would be applied to an equal amount of costs in fiscal year 2014 to provide training to law enforcement; address expected increased technical assistance requests from local jurisdictions; coordinate and process the disbursement of funds to victim service agencies; coordinate and administer the Human Trafficking Advisory Board and provide victim-witness coordination for human trafficking victims in cases handled by the AG's office. Additional revenue in subsequent years would be used to expand the number and amount of grants to victim services programs. Local law enforcement would be trained to identify victims and to investigate cases. An amendment was offered in debate to allocate 50% of the funds to the human trafficking victim assistance fund and 50% to the juvenile detention facilities victim assistance fund. I voted for this amendment. Without this amendment, this bill is a mandate to our local units of government without providing the funding. The amendment failed on a voice vote. THE VOTE ON THE BILL WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
SB 21 - This bill would allow for reciprocity of concealed carry permits. For individuals traveling through or visiting Kansas, the bill would authorize official recognition of any valid concealed carry permit from another state. THE VOTE WAS 38-0. I VOTED YES.
|
|
TRANSPORTATION
SB 68 - This bill was presented by Donna Shelite, Director of Vehicles, Kansas Department of Revenue. Current law states that original applications for drivers' licenses and instruction permits shall be held in the county where the applicant resides or at a place adjacent, with the issuance of a commercial driver's license (CDL) being the exception. For many years the Division has not been able to completely comply with these requirements due to resource limitations. The Division would like more flexibility. The Division experienced 24 retirements recently and these positions were not filled again. This bill does not address the resource limitations. It was advanced for consideration by the full Senate.
SB 69 - This bill is a technical clean up bill. Since the bill is non-controversial in nature, it was placed on the Consent Calendar. This bill will change the date for proof of property tax, change the fee from $0.50 to $1.00 for duplicate registrations (the actual amount of the fees currently), increase the maximum weight to 20,000 pounds for specialty plates (has been this way for years), and delete requirements for forms no longer in use by the division. It was advanced for consideration by the full Senate.
SB 70 - This bill amends several definitions related to automobiles and other vehicles. The entire statue would be organized alphabetically with regard to definitions. The Kansas Automobile Dealers Association offered 3 amendments to comply with current federal regulations with regard to the definition and use of motor home. They have been adopted by the committee. Further consideration will be given to this bill next week.
******************************************* FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE
This week the committee advanced several bills to the full Senate. Here is a brief description of them:
SB 24 - Ensures that a Kansas domestic company will have the minimum amount of capital needed to support its business operations with regard to its size and risk profile.
SB 25 - Ensures that the health organizations in Kansas (9 companies currently) have adequate capital.
SB 26 - Compliance with uniform licensing standards for agent reciprocity and includes regulatory compliance in the definition of ethics.
SB 51 - Adds banks to the list of associations that provide health insurance coverage exempt from the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of Insurance.
SB 52 - Increases the maximum rate of 3.5 percentage points above the specific monthly floating indexed interest rate by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac).
*******************************************
EDUCATION
The following presentations were given:
- Dr. Steve Wyckoff (Educational Specialist) and Dr. Mike Cook (Executive Director), Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas (ESSDACK)
- Larry Thompson, M.Ed., Hesston High School Principal
SB 22 - This bill would continue the functions of the Technical Education Authority through fiscal year 2017.
SB 23 - This bill would reauthorize the statewide 20-mill school levy through the 20-14-2015 school year. It would continue current tax policy for elementary and secondary school finance formula.
SB 44 - This bill would require a school district to implement best practices in student instruction upon a written statement from a licensed physician, psychologist or psychiatrist after diagnosing a student with dyslexia. If the student does not receive appropriate intensive multisensory instruction within 6 weeks the school district will be required to pay for the appropriate intensive multisensory instruction by a third party, selected by the parent of the child. Transportation costs to and from the location would also need to be provided.
|
|
- Last week I met with Mark Dwyer, Physical Therapist. My apology for failing to list this previously.
- Met with Cathy Harding and Connie Hubbell, Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved
- Met with Maureen Cummins (Kansas Pet Animal Advisory Board) and Rosanna Morrow (Pet Animal Coalition of Kansas - PACK)
- Met with Mike Larkin, James Young, Angela Horsfall (Pharmacy Student) and Bethany Hofmann (Pharmacy Student) - Kansas Pharmacists Association
- Met with Karl Klein, Regional Director, Washburn University, Kansas Small Business Development Center
- Attended the Kansas Pharmacists Association Legislative Day Luncheon
- Attended the Kansas Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner
- Met with Nancy Lollman and Sunnie Shedd - New Dawn Wellness and Recovery Center & Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals (KAAP)
- Met with Joshua Dieker (Kansas Dental Project), Jill Gottschamer (Dental Hygienist) and Leanna Clark (Dental Hygienist)
- Met with Anna-Marie Hughey - SKIL Resource Center
- Attended Bishop Scott Jones' Breakfast for United Methodist Legislators at First United Methodist Church (A special thanks to Pastor Bruce Emmert & my church for preparing and serving the delicious breakfast AND for hosting the event)
- Attended the Jayhawks for Higher Education event with Chancellor Gray-Little and Baby Jay - see picture at right
- Attended the Shawnee County Delegation Luncheon with Robert Erickson (President/CEO of St. Francis Health Center) and Randy Peterson (President/CEO of Stormont-Vail HealthCare)
- Attended the ribbon cutting event for Genoa Pharmacy at the Family Service and Guidance Center
|
|
Click here to see a copy of Senate District 20. |
Please let me know if there are events in the community that you would like me to list.
- Auburn Elementary - Kindergarten Roundup will be Friday, April 5, 2013. Call the school office at 785-339-4400 for more information.
- The Auburn Community Theater will present "Divorce Southern Style" on February 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th. Call 785-256-2848 for tickets!
- The Second Annual Auburn Lions Club Plant Sale will be on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in the Apple Market Parking Lot.
- The Wabaunsee County Economic Development Annual Meeting and Appreciation Dinner will be on Thursday, February 21st in Paxico. Call 785-765-4655 for more information.
|
|
|
|
Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.
|
|
|
Vicki Schmidt
20th District,
Kansas Senate
vicki@vickischmidt.com
785-296-7374
Paid for by Schmidt for Senate, Brad Koehn, CPA, Treasurer
|
|
|
|
A Note from Vicki
| 
Floor Action This Week!
|
|
DR. ROY JENSEN
| 
Sen. Vicki Schmidt and Dr. Roy Jensen, Director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center
|
|
BRIAN CASWELL
| 
Sen. Vicki Schmidt & Brian Caswell, First Vice President of National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA)
|
|
KANSAS PHARMACISTS
|  LEGISLATIVE DAY AT THE CAPITOL!
|
|
UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS CHANCELLOR
| 
Chancellor Gray-Little and Sen. Vicki Schmidt
|
|
ROCK CHALK
|  Baby Jay and Sen. Vicki Schmidt
|
|
THE CAPITOL DOME
| 
|
|
|
