GUEST COLUMN, Shannon Francis, 125th District Representative
Thank you to all the firefighters, both full time and volunteer, that have responded to the massive fires we have suffered. Thanks also to the first responders, farmers and other community members that have responded with tractors, food, and aid. It’s been a statewide response with firefighters responding from over 17 fire departments from as far as the Kansas City and Wichita areas. The Kansas National Guard, Kansas Emergency Management, Fire Marshal’s Office, Forestry Service, Department of Transportation and other state agencies have provided equipment, personnel, and other support. At least 10 aircraft took part but their support had to be limited due to the high wind conditions. The Kansas Insurance Department is ready to help with insurance claims questions, disputes or claim delays. You can contact the Insurance Department at 800-432-2484. My prayers go out to all of you that have suffered property losses and injuries.
Week six of the legislative session has ended following an intense three straight days of House floor debates and votes. The House voted on more than 100 bills during this period, the culmination of several weeks of committee hearings and testimony combined with our work over the interim. After we return, House committees will begin working the bills sent over from the Senate. Bills approved by both chambers will then have the differences between the House and Senate versions reconciled by conference committees. Then, each chamber will vote on the reconciled bill and those that survive will be sent to the Governor for her consideration. The bills left still have a long way to go before becoming law. Next week the House will on our version of the budget bill and House Bill 2745 dealing with property taxes.
Below are a few of the bills that passed out the House this week. More detailed information on each bill and other bills passed can be found by going to the Kansas Legislature website at kslegislature.org.
Sub bill for SB 281
Banning cell phone use during school hours, prohibiting school employees from communicating with students via social media platforms for official school purposes and providing certain exceptions and requiring the adoption of policies and procedures.
HB 2412
Increasing the criminal penalties for endangering a child less than six years of age.
HB 2537
Increasing the penalties for the crime of sexual extortion when an offender is 18 or older and the victim is less than 18. Creating the crimes of aggravated sexual extortion causing great bodily harm and aggravated sexual extortion causing death.
HB 2374
Creating the specialty practice student loan program for medical students.
HB 2594
Removing the connection to breach of privacy from the crime of blackmail related to threatened dissemination of videotape, photograph film or image of a person who is nude or engaged in sexual activity.
HB 2491
Requiring state agencies to report to the Secretary of State with the names of and addresses of noncitizens receiving public benefits.
HB 2453
Requiring applications for advance voting ballots be filed 14 days prior to election day and extending the time for transmittal of advance voting ballots to 22 days prior to an election and for voter registration 23 days prior to election day.
HB 2591
Authorizing financial institution to report suspected financial exploitation of an adult accountholder and place a temporary hold on certain transactions.
HB 2489
Requiring school districts to provide fentanyl abuse education programs and maintain supplies of naloxone in each school.
HB 2555
Regulations concerning expenditures for the Rural Health Transformation Program.
HB 2655
This was a bill championed by Judge Maxwell of the Liberal Municipal court that would give municipal courts the ability to expunge convictions when a drug court participant had successfully completed the requirements of the program. This is an authorization that district courts currently have.
