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Week 3: 2010 Legislative Session

Tradition

Each year in celebration of Kansas’ entry into the Union on January 29th, 1861, the House members sing “Home on the Range”, the state song. The song has new meaning for this Missouri girl who grew up singing the song along with “Oh Susanna” and “Red River Valley” as just another western song.

The following information is excerpted from the Kansas Statutes, Chapter 73, Article 1, Section 01. The words are included within the statute.

73-1301. Home on the Range. The song "Home on the Range" as originally written with words by Dr. Brewster Higley and music by Dan Kelly is hereby established as the Kansas state song. The words to such song shall be:

Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam,
Where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.

Chorus:
A home, a home where the deer and the antelope play,
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the sky is not clouded all day.

Oh,give me the gale of the Solomon vale,
Where life streams with buoyancy flow,
On the banks of the Beaver, where seldom if ever
Any poisonous herbage doth grow.

Oh give me the land where the bright diamond sand

Throws its light from the glittering stream

Where glideth along the graceful white swan,

Like a maid in a heavenly dream

I love the wild flowers in this bright land of ours;
I love too the wild curley's scream,
The bluffs and white rocks and antelope flocks
That graze on the hillsides so green.

How often at night, when the heavens are bright
With the light of the glittering stars,
Have I stood here amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds this of ours.

The air is so pure, the breezes so free,
The zephyrs so balmy and light,
I would not exchange my home here to range
Forever in azure so bright.

Slow start

The first recorded vote in the House occurred this week on HB 2414, a bill from the consent calendar. This bill allowed the Regents on behalf of Fort Hayes State University to convey or sell property to the city of Hayes. Uncontroversial bills are placed on the consent calendar where they remain for 3 days. On each of those three days, House members are given a chance to object to the bill. If after three days there are no objections, the bill immediately goes for a vote of the House without debate. If a House member objects on any of those three days, the bill is pulled from the consent calendar and must be considered like all other bills, with full debate.

A resolution recognizing the first class of the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS) was introduced last week and those students were introduced. In 2006, as a result of the passage of SB 139, the Kansas State Legislature established KAMS to promote mathematics and science education, increase retention of intellectual capital, and promote economic development. In 2007, The Kansas Board of Regents selected Fort Hays State University to host the academy. The two-year early-entry-to-college program is designed to offer the state’s brightest and most talented high school juniors and seniors who excel in mathematics and science an exceptional academic experience. The current class of KAMS consists of twenty-four students from twenty-four high schools across Kansas and covers all four Kansas congressional districts. KAMS students, upon completion of the program, will receive a high school diploma and 68 hours of college credit.

My Committees in Action

Further Unemployment Testimony…

In Commerce, the committee heard testimony from businesses on the impact of the increased unemployment tax rates on their business. Those testifying complained about the short notice given and about the drastic increase in unemployment tax rates as compared to the past 4 years of reduced rates. Since the largest portion of their payment is due in the first quarter, some suggested a change to allow payments to be spread more evenly.

The committee held hearings on HB 2238, which makes changes to construction contract law having to do with retainage (money earned by a contractor but held back by the owner to ensure proper performance). Subcontractors who finish early in a project often have a long wait before receiving their payment making cash flow for repayment of already-purchased supplies difficult. Owners represented by architects, schools, and various government entities spoke against the decrease in the percentage retained (from 10% to 5%) and against the potential use of “alternate security” instead of money. Hearings continue on Monday.

Bills introduced in Health and Human Services…

Numerous bills have been introduced in this committee.

HB 2447 expands the practice act for advanced practice nurses.
HB 2536 expands the practice of Nurse Anesthetists.
HB 2574 requires disclosure of possible hazards of a vaccine and consent for the administration of a vaccine.
HB 2575 allows the licensure of naturopathic doctors.
HB 2576 adds oxygen to the list of durable medical supplies that can be sold without obtaining prior registration from the Board of Pharmacy.
HB 2577 allows the licensure of addictions counselors by the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board.

The following bills will have hearings next week in the House Health and Human Services committee:

SB 62, which establishes tuberculosis screening at post secondary institutions,
HB 2220, which amends law regulating child care facilities and changes the payment schedule for licensing fees,
SB 262, which expands the scope of practice for emergency medical service attendants under the Board of Emergency Medical Services, and
HB 2223, which repeals the certificate of registration for family day care homes and instead requires licensure.

Budget committee meeting…

The Transportation & Public Safety Budget Committee started meeting this week with a review of the Sentencing Commission. The Post Audit Committee had been asked to consider whether combining the Sentencing Commission with the Department of Corrections could save money. The Transportation & Public Safety Budget Committee heard testimony from those against this consolidation. The move would save $152,000 but those testifying felt the independence of the commission would be compromised and its support of legislators during the session would not be maintained at its current level.

The Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training and the Kansas Fire and Training Institute each gave the committee an update of their activities during the past year.

Kansas should have a law that...

Here are the first week’s responses. Keep the ideas coming. Your comments on these ideas? “Kansas should have a law that….

1. Requires landfills that handle construction and demolition debris and waste to have liners.”
2. Makes recycling mandatory and uses the money it generates for gas for state vehicles.”
3. Declares English as the "Official" State Language---Kansas was the 30th state to pass this law in 2007. Under the legislation, state agencies are not required to conduct business and provide documents in languages other than English, except where necessary to comply with federal law, protect public safety, and maintain Constitutional rights.”
4. Prohibits insurance agencies from using pre-existing conditions as a reason to deny any health care coverage---this is a part of both the House and Senate health reform bills at the federal level.”
5. Mandates the use of e-verify to verify the citizenship of public and private sector employees.”
6. Would protect sick people, who need marijuana to deal with their illness, from arrest or other criminal or civil action.”
7. Requires state government to obey due process.”
8. Limits overall spending and tax collections.”

Jill’s Activities last week

KU Science Presentation, “What’s Next in Prevention Research?” by Ed Ellerbeck, Chair Cancer Control and Population Health Research Program.
Governor’s Reception for Legislators at Cedar Crest; Did you know that Kansas has the smallest Governor’s residence but it is located on the largest tract of land (250 acres of park)?
Josiah Rosell, senior at Shawnee Mission Northwest (and his teacher, Bob Anderson) spent the morning with me as part of Kansas Association for the Gifted, Talented and Creative Legislative Shadow Day. There are over 14,000 Kansas students who are identified as gifted.
Interview by six Shawnee Mission Northwest students as part of Statehouse Reporter Day, a combination field trip/reporting contest in which students have the chance to interview state officials and legislators about the issues facing K-12 education in Kansas, sponsored by Kansas Scholastic Press Association and Kansas Families for Education.
Kansas Society of CPAs Reception which featured a surprise visit by Lynn Jenkins, CPA.
Kansas Area United Methodist Church Breakfast for United Methodist Legislators, Bishop Scott Jones spoke.
Johnson County Delegation Meeting sponsored by the Kansas Society of Professional Engineers, Eastern Chapter.
Shawnee Mission Medical Center and Foundation Luncheon.
Kansas Water Authority discussed the need to restore funds for the State Water Plan Fund which lost 100% of its funding.
Social Workers discussed the need for continuing education on personal safety issues.
Shawnee Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Dinner.

Chat with Jill

Join me for a chat between 1:00pm and 3:00pm next Saturday, February 6th at the HyVee at 87th and Pflumm.

My mantra for the session:

“Honest differences are often a healthy sign of progress” …Mahatma Gandhi

Contacting me…

Please notice that my Topeka contact information has changed.
·      My office is 174A in the Capitol on the West wing of the first floor.
·      My administrative assistant is Cheryl Coffman.
·      My phone is 785-296-7689.
Security has been increased this year. Bags are now scanned and visitors must pass through a metal detector. But don’t let that stop you from dropping in to talk with me if you at are in Topeka.

Representing you,

Jill Quigley

Representative, 17th District

Lenexa & Shawnee
H: 913-541-9645                            P.O. Box 14823
C: 785-296-7689                            Lenexa, KS 66285
jill@jillquigley.com                            Legislative Hotline: 800-432-3924

Committee Assignments:
9:00am         Mon-Fri         Commerce & Labor                         Rm 784 Docking
1:30pm          Mon-Fri          Health & Human Services                 Rm 784 Docking
3:30pm          Mon-Fri          Trans & Public Safety Budget            Rm 142S Capitol

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Rep. Jill Quigley

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