Vicki's Voice Newsletter- February 16, 2013

Senator Vicki Schmidt's Newsletter

February 16, 2013

Dear Friends:

Thank you to the FIRST pages of the session! Brenner Barclay (Washburn Rural Middle School), Riley Dunnaway (Washburn Rural Middle School), Emma Getsinger (Auburn Elementary), and Mara Gilbreath (French Middle School) learned about committee meetings and the Capitol! Please see their pictures on the right.

On February 14th another group of pages came to the Capitol. Thank you to Darby Holroyd, Bailey Tyrell, Morgan Tyrell and Mariah Spangler, all from Washburn Rural Middle School. Committee meetings were a part of their day also. Please see their picture on the right.

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Next week will be the LAST FULL WEEK that committees will meet before "turnaround week." All bills that are not in exempt committees must be out of their chamber of origin by Tuesday, February 26th at noon. Bills are exempt from all deadlines if they are referred to Senate Ways & Means, Federal & State Affairs or the Tax Committees. In the House the exempt committees are Appropriations, Tax, Federal & State Affairs, and Calendar & Printing. The leadership team, and ultimately the President of the Senate, has the final say on where Senate bills are referred. It is a common practice to "bless" bills prior to the "Turnaround Week." The President would withdraw a bill from a committee, refer it to an exempt committee, and then refer the bill back to its original committee. The bill would have then touched an exempt committee and is able to be discussed at any point throughout the legislative session. If a bill has not been worked and advanced to the full Senate OR has not touched an exempt committee, it will no longer be available for action this session.

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The three men that work in the Mail Room at the Capitol make sure that all 165 legislators and staff receive their mail daily! They are efficient and friendly! Thank you to Tom Allen, Dick Borough and Carl Golden for making the mail delivery smooth! Please see their picture with Baby Jay on the right!

EDUCATION AND PERSONAL ACTIVITIES

Thank you to the National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society for asking me to speak at the MS Action Day Luncheon! There are over 4,500 individuals in Kansas living with MS. MS is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system. It interrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms can range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted.

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It was an honor to address the Realtors visiting the Capitol for the Legislative Advocacy Day! A great turn out for their event!

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A special welcome to my relatives who came to the Capitol this week! It was a privilege to host Eugene and Grace Martens, Sherry and Karlan Koehn, Travis and Darcy Koehn. They traveled a great distance to visit the Capitol!

FLOOR ACTIVITIES

The Senate considered and approved 16 bills this week. Here are a few of the bills:

SB 107 - This bill is technical in nature. It changes the various statutes to line up with the Executive Reorganization Order (ERO) #41. The bill updates the names of agencies that changed in the ERO. THE VOTE WAS 40-0. I VOTED YES.

Sub for SB 36 - This bill defines "sample" to mean 1/2 oz. of distilled spirits, 1 oz. of wine or 2 oz. of beer or cereal malt beverage with regard to Class A & B clubs, drinking establishments, caterers, public venue clubs and temporary permit holders when talking about free samples of alcoholic liquor. No one would be allowed more than 5 samples. THE BILL PASSED 37-2. I VOTED YES.

SB 37 - This bill removes the sunset that would cause the Kansas Home Inspectors Professional Competence and Financial Responsibility Act to expire on July 1, 2013. THE BILL PASSED 36-3. I VOTED YES.

SB 49 - This bill would bring the boating under the influence statues more consistent with driving under the influence (DUI) statutes. THE BILL PASSED 39-0. I VOTED YES.

SB 92 - This bill would create a new section requiring law enforcement to report on the Kansas Standard Offense Report the presence of pornographic materials found at the scene of a crime, on the person arrested, at the arrested person's residence, and in the arrested person's vehicle. THE BILL PASSED 36-2. I VOTED YES.

COMMITTEE ACTIVITIES

TRANSPORTATION

SB 96 - Current law allows for any county that has multiple vehicle registration facilities to assess a registration (convenience) fee not to exceed $5 per vehicle, but the county MUST provide one location where the fee is waived. This bill would allow a county with multiple vehicle registration facilities to be able to charge at each location. The change would not require County Treasurers to charge any additional fees. It would be at the discretion of the county. There were no opponents to the bill. This bill was moved to the full Senate for their consideration.

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FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND INSURANCE

The committee held hearings on the following bills:

SB 85 - Currently a vehicle owner must provide an insurance card, certificate, photocopy or facsimile of the insurance card as proof. This bill would add the image of the insurance card or certificate displayed on a cellular phone or other type of portable electronic device (computer laptop, iPad, etc.) There were no opponents of the bill. This bill was passed out favorably to the full Senate.

SB 113 - This bill would update language in the statute regarding loan approvals and delete language that is no longer relevant. It would also raise the board approval and regulatory reporting threshold from $20,000 to $50,000 with regard to loans to board members and committee volunteers. Raising the threshold will provide credit unions with additional flexibility, reduce operational costs of additional board approvals and lessen the regulatory burden faced by credit unions. This bill was passed out favorably to the full Senate.

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EDUCATION

The committee received a presentation by Dale Dennis, Deputy Commissioner of Education, Kansas Department of Education and Dr. Blake Flanders, Vice President for Workforce Development, Kansas Board of Regents.

A presentation was made by the Kansas Academy of Math & Science (KAMS) at Fort Hays State University. We heard from the following:

Ron Keller, Director of KAMS
Brad Leupold - Student
Elizabeth Lewis - Student
Morgan Linder - Student
Amber Perdew - Student
Adam Stenson - Student

Check back next week for the two students in KAMS from Topeka! The pictures have not arrived yet!

SB 103 - This bill would change the current definition of "at-risk pupil" in the school finance formula. It would remove for children in 4th grade and above the eligibility for "at risk" funding if they qualify for free or reduced lunches. The hearing drew multiple opponents, including superintendents, the Kansas Association of School Boards, KNEA and others.

GPSchmidt

Met with Ray Rhodd, Mike Slusser and Jim Nicolas - Military Officer Association of America (MOAA)
Met with Viet Nguyen (Pittsburg State University), Olivia Sullivan (Wichita State University), Carley Swanson (Emporia State University), Jennifer Clark (Emporia State University) and Russell Cornelius (Emporia State University) - Higher Education Students - please see their picture at right
Mary Reed Spencer and Donna Grammer - National Multiple Sclerosis Society
Met with Dr. Ed Mills, President, Northwest Kansas Technical College
Met with Sharon Joseph, a tireless advocate! Please see her picture at right
Met with Marion Hawk, Anne Hesse and Scott Hesse - Legislative Advocacy Day for Realtors
Met with Kerry Tummons, Donna Wilson, Angeline Spader, Kristi Booker, Sara Hortenstine, and Carolyn Ward - Kansas Action for School Readiness Advocacy Day
Attended the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence (KSCDV) Safe Homes/Safe Streets dinner and concert with the fabulous Kelley Hunt
Met with JoLana Pinon - Florence Crittenton Services
Met with Dr. Mark Saylor and Earl Long - Kansas Fair Tax
Addressed the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) Academy of Students at the University of Kansas Campus Convention

DISTRICT MAP

Click here to see a copy of Senate District 20.

COMMUNITY NEWS

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 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!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you! Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Vicki Schmidt
Senator, 20th District
vicki@vickischmidt.com
785-296-7374

Paid for by Schmidt for Senate, Brad Koehn, CPA, Treasurer