Welcome To The Kansas
2021 Session
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Contact Information
Phone: #785-296-7677 (Please note this number will not be answered during the adjournment) Email: timothy.johnson@house.ks.gov Home Information 15958 151st Street Bonner Springs, Ks (Leavenworth County) 66012 |
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Dear Constituents,
It is an honor to serve as your State Representative from District 38 in Leavenworth & Johnson Counties. We have now reached the conclusion of the regular part of the session, and will not return for the veto session until May 3rd. That is expected to just last no longer than a week. We have passed a flurry of legislation aimed at bettering the lives of Kansans. Most of these items have reached the governor's desk, but our work remains on a few items. Our major hurdle remaining is education. Of course, some bills may get vetoed, and we are prepared to make attempts to override those vetoes when we return. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at timothy.johnson@house.ks.gov. |
We passed a number of great bills to help Kansans these past few weeks. Below is a list of several highlights:
REFORMING THE KANSAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT
You may have read a lot about SB 40, the bill that passed the legislature - and that the governor signed - which updated our laws regarding times when the state is under a disaster emergency, as we have been for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation - while not perfect - moved the ball forward in a number of important ways. First of all, there is now a system of checks and balances in place, whereas before most of the power resided with the governor and unelected local health officials. Now, the legislature has more power to check the governor and all local decisions must be made by city councils, county commissions, and school boards, ensuring the people have a voice throughout the process.
In addition, the bill provides strong due process rights to aggrieved citizens who have been burdened by any order. It also protects our constitutional rights by preventing the governor from closing businesses or churches and/or limiting our 2nd Amendment rights.
A good example of the new authority in the bill occurred immediately after it took effect, when the governor attempted to issue a new statewide mask mandate. That was quickly turned aside by the Legislative Coordinating Council, leaving the authority completely up to local officials.
Much of the state is now free of a government mask mandate, but certain jurisdictions still have one in place. Businesses, of of course, still may require masks.
SECURING OUR ELECTIONS
This week, the Kansas House, along with the Senate passed the final version of legislation to bring security to our elections.
House Bill 2332
The Senate adopted the final version of HB 2332 by a veto proof majority of 27-11, which would require any third-party who sends out advance voting applications to identify who they are, who the head of their organization is, and a clear statement indicating it is not mailed from the government. It would also prevent the Governor, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch from altering election laws, as occurred last year. It also broadened the definition of election tampering. The legislation also passed the House and is now headed to the governor.
Sub for HB 2183
The Senate also passed the final version of Sub for HB 2183, which among a number of provisions, would:
STIMULATING INVESTMENT IN KANSAS
This week, both the House and Senate passed a bill to bring “TEFFIs” to Kansas, short for “Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions.” It is now headed to the governor, who is expected to sign the bill. Once S Sub for HB 2074 becomes law, Kansas will be the preferred jurisdiction for TEFFIs to serve alternative asset investors from across the United States.
Under the bill, Kansas trusts will be established by investors across the United States to hold their alternative asset investments, which will repay loans made by Kansas TEFFIs and provide cash flow to benefit Kansas “economic growth zones”, which largely overlap Rural Opportunity Zones that were passed by the legislature in previous years.
EXPANDING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
With the passage of two bills this week, Republicans took action to expand 2nd Amendment rights and promote gun safety among Kansas youth.
HB 2058 is the 2nd Amendment licensing reciprocity bill. It would specify a valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another jurisdiction would be recognized in Kansas while such permit/license holder is not a Kansas resident. Such licenses and permits would entitle the lawful holder only to carry concealed handguns as defined in Kansas law, and would require such persons to act in accordance with Kansas laws while carrying a concealed handgun in the state.
The bill also would create two license classes. A provisional license could be issued to persons who are at least 18 years of age; and a standard license for persons who are over 21 years of age. Finally, it amends current law allowing for restoration of gun rights for certain individuals whom are granted expungement for limited non-person crimes. HB 2058 passed the Senate on a bi-partisan 30-8 vote. It also passed the House and it is headed to the governor.
Sub for HB 2089 expands firearms safety in Kansas public schools, allowing a local school board to provide firearm safety education programs. The State Board of Education would establish curriculum guidelines for a standardized firearm safety education program, which would be required to include accident prevention. It would provide that specific programs would be used based on the grade level of students, as follows:
HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES
The Kansas Senate, in a bi-partisan fashion, adopted the final version of HB 2066, legislation designed to help military families obtain work by easing the process of obtaining professional licenses. The bill shortens the period of time in which regulatory bodies are required to issue occupational credentials to military servicemembers or military spouses seeking to establish residency in Kansas. The bill would apply to all licensing bodies except those relevant to the practice of law or the regulation of attorneys. Having passed the House and Senate, it is now headed to the governor.
Work To Finish
When we return in May, a major focus of our efforts will be on education. On the last day of the regular session, the Senate had a tie vote - 20-20 - on a bill that would fully fund K-12 education for FY 2022 to the tune of $5.8 billion, in addition to implementing two important programs to provide more opportunities to at-risk students in Kansas.
One program would expand tax-credit low-income scholarships. For the last several years, we have had a program in Kansas which allows Kansans to contribute to scholarships which allow Kansas kids who are on free lunches to receive a scholarship to attend certain private schools in Kansas. Those contributing receive a tax credit. Last year, just over 600 kids were in the program, which has seen participation and interest rise each year.
Under the bill we passed, eligibility would increase to more low income kids by allowing those on both free and reduced lunches to receive a scholarship. In addition, rather than limiting it to the 100 lowest performing elementary schools, the extension would allow eligible children in any public school in Kansas to be eligible for the program. Scholarships would still be limited to $8,000 and the overall limit on the program would still remain at $10 million.
This portion had previously passed.
A second program is the Student Empowerment Act, which would be administered through the Kansas Treasurer’s office. It would allow at-risk kids - the very kids the Supreme Court has identified we need to prioritize -- below grade level or suffering from dyslexia to take base-state-aid-per-pupil funding and use it to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, or other education assistance to enhance their ability to succeed.
Unfortunately, some misrepresentations of the program caused it to lose by one vote in the Senate. Some of these came from the usual suspects who want no changes to the current system, but some also came from those who falsely charged the bill would somehow hurt private schools, which is not correct.
I plan to fight for our education bill in the veto session.
Rep Tim Johnson
REFORMING THE KANSAS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ACT
You may have read a lot about SB 40, the bill that passed the legislature - and that the governor signed - which updated our laws regarding times when the state is under a disaster emergency, as we have been for over a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legislation - while not perfect - moved the ball forward in a number of important ways. First of all, there is now a system of checks and balances in place, whereas before most of the power resided with the governor and unelected local health officials. Now, the legislature has more power to check the governor and all local decisions must be made by city councils, county commissions, and school boards, ensuring the people have a voice throughout the process.
In addition, the bill provides strong due process rights to aggrieved citizens who have been burdened by any order. It also protects our constitutional rights by preventing the governor from closing businesses or churches and/or limiting our 2nd Amendment rights.
A good example of the new authority in the bill occurred immediately after it took effect, when the governor attempted to issue a new statewide mask mandate. That was quickly turned aside by the Legislative Coordinating Council, leaving the authority completely up to local officials.
Much of the state is now free of a government mask mandate, but certain jurisdictions still have one in place. Businesses, of of course, still may require masks.
SECURING OUR ELECTIONS
This week, the Kansas House, along with the Senate passed the final version of legislation to bring security to our elections.
House Bill 2332
The Senate adopted the final version of HB 2332 by a veto proof majority of 27-11, which would require any third-party who sends out advance voting applications to identify who they are, who the head of their organization is, and a clear statement indicating it is not mailed from the government. It would also prevent the Governor, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch from altering election laws, as occurred last year. It also broadened the definition of election tampering. The legislation also passed the House and is now headed to the governor.
Sub for HB 2183
The Senate also passed the final version of Sub for HB 2183, which among a number of provisions, would:
- Make it unlawful for any person to knowingly backdate or otherwise alter a postmark or other official indication of the date of mailing of an advance mail ballot if the intent is to make the mailing date appear different from the actual date of mailing by the voter or voter’s designee.
- Prohibit a county election officer from accepting an advance voting ballot transmitted by mail unless they first verify the signature on an advance voting ballot envelope matches the signature on file in the county voter registration records. If the signature of a person on the advance voting ballot envelope did not match the signature on file, the ballot would not be counted.
- Remove the authority of the Secretary of State to extend the deadline for receiving advance mail ballots. Under current law, the deadline for a county election office to receive advance voting ballots is the last mail delivery on the third day following an election, unless extended by the Secretary.
- Prohibit any person from delivering an advance voting ballot on behalf of another person, unless the person submits an accompanying written statement at the time of delivery, signed by both the voter and the person delivering the ballot.
- Limits ballot harvesting by limiting the number of ballots someone could return to ten.
STIMULATING INVESTMENT IN KANSAS
This week, both the House and Senate passed a bill to bring “TEFFIs” to Kansas, short for “Technology Enabled Fiduciary Financial Institutions.” It is now headed to the governor, who is expected to sign the bill. Once S Sub for HB 2074 becomes law, Kansas will be the preferred jurisdiction for TEFFIs to serve alternative asset investors from across the United States.
Under the bill, Kansas trusts will be established by investors across the United States to hold their alternative asset investments, which will repay loans made by Kansas TEFFIs and provide cash flow to benefit Kansas “economic growth zones”, which largely overlap Rural Opportunity Zones that were passed by the legislature in previous years.
EXPANDING SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS
With the passage of two bills this week, Republicans took action to expand 2nd Amendment rights and promote gun safety among Kansas youth.
HB 2058 is the 2nd Amendment licensing reciprocity bill. It would specify a valid license or permit to carry a concealed firearm issued by another jurisdiction would be recognized in Kansas while such permit/license holder is not a Kansas resident. Such licenses and permits would entitle the lawful holder only to carry concealed handguns as defined in Kansas law, and would require such persons to act in accordance with Kansas laws while carrying a concealed handgun in the state.
The bill also would create two license classes. A provisional license could be issued to persons who are at least 18 years of age; and a standard license for persons who are over 21 years of age. Finally, it amends current law allowing for restoration of gun rights for certain individuals whom are granted expungement for limited non-person crimes. HB 2058 passed the Senate on a bi-partisan 30-8 vote. It also passed the House and it is headed to the governor.
Sub for HB 2089 expands firearms safety in Kansas public schools, allowing a local school board to provide firearm safety education programs. The State Board of Education would establish curriculum guidelines for a standardized firearm safety education program, which would be required to include accident prevention. It would provide that specific programs would be used based on the grade level of students, as follows:
- Kindergarten through grade five guidelines would be based on the Eddie Eagle Gunsafe program offered by the National Rifle Association (NRA) or any successor program;
- Grades six through eight guidelines would be based on the Eddie Eagle program, the Hunter Education in Our Schools program offered by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT), or, at the discretion of the board of education of the school district, any other firearm safety education program offered by KDWPT; and
- Grades nine through twelve guidelines would be based on Hunter Education or, at the discretion of the board of education of the school district, any other firearm safety education program offered by KDWPT.
HELPING MILITARY FAMILIES
The Kansas Senate, in a bi-partisan fashion, adopted the final version of HB 2066, legislation designed to help military families obtain work by easing the process of obtaining professional licenses. The bill shortens the period of time in which regulatory bodies are required to issue occupational credentials to military servicemembers or military spouses seeking to establish residency in Kansas. The bill would apply to all licensing bodies except those relevant to the practice of law or the regulation of attorneys. Having passed the House and Senate, it is now headed to the governor.
Work To Finish
When we return in May, a major focus of our efforts will be on education. On the last day of the regular session, the Senate had a tie vote - 20-20 - on a bill that would fully fund K-12 education for FY 2022 to the tune of $5.8 billion, in addition to implementing two important programs to provide more opportunities to at-risk students in Kansas.
One program would expand tax-credit low-income scholarships. For the last several years, we have had a program in Kansas which allows Kansans to contribute to scholarships which allow Kansas kids who are on free lunches to receive a scholarship to attend certain private schools in Kansas. Those contributing receive a tax credit. Last year, just over 600 kids were in the program, which has seen participation and interest rise each year.
Under the bill we passed, eligibility would increase to more low income kids by allowing those on both free and reduced lunches to receive a scholarship. In addition, rather than limiting it to the 100 lowest performing elementary schools, the extension would allow eligible children in any public school in Kansas to be eligible for the program. Scholarships would still be limited to $8,000 and the overall limit on the program would still remain at $10 million.
This portion had previously passed.
A second program is the Student Empowerment Act, which would be administered through the Kansas Treasurer’s office. It would allow at-risk kids - the very kids the Supreme Court has identified we need to prioritize -- below grade level or suffering from dyslexia to take base-state-aid-per-pupil funding and use it to pay for private school tuition, tutoring, or other education assistance to enhance their ability to succeed.
Unfortunately, some misrepresentations of the program caused it to lose by one vote in the Senate. Some of these came from the usual suspects who want no changes to the current system, but some also came from those who falsely charged the bill would somehow hurt private schools, which is not correct.
I plan to fight for our education bill in the veto session.
Rep Tim Johnson
Night scene photo by Ron Svoboda
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