The month of February has roared in like a lion as the legislation proposals have been through the initial stages by the staff and have been “introduced to the house floor and assigned to the responsible committee for debate.”
Any legislator can propose the legislation either individually or as a group, or by any agency, or a lobby group; in any event all requests have to proceed through the appropriate committee. Bill introductions are typically the first order of business at the start of any committee meeting.
The process can start as a conceptual idea, or can be in a bill form, or a combination of the two. Each committee has staff assigned to help draft and research any proposed legislation. Our staff consists of Revisors and Researchers. These are full time state employees that make sure the right terminology is used in the language of the bill.
Each committee chairmen have a staff assistant that helps with the various chores required to conduct the business of the committee. He or she will set up the meeting room, test the microphones, set out the nametags, provide distribution for all testimony and other relevant documents.
They keep the minutes, organize the files, record attendance, (yes just like in school or work, our attendance is recorded) and assist in the conduct of day-to-day operations. Committee times are typically 9:00-10:30, floor debate 11:00-? Lunch noon, 1:30-3:30,
3:30-5:30, and any other times on call of the chair. On special committees we will meet early morning, during the lunch break, in the evening, or anytime we can work it in.
Following Committee action if approved the bill will be “passed favorably to the house floor”. The Vice-Chairman prepares a bill brief and a legislator is assigned to “carry the bill”. Once the legislation is set for floor debate the fun starts; after being presented to the caucus the legislator will present the legislation on the floor of the house and be the lead proponent. If it passes the House, the bill goes to the Senate, the process then repeats.
Because of these times you can experience some delay in reaching me, however my office assistant generally knows where I am and can get in contact. I predominately use emails, cell phone, personal contact, telephone, and occasionally the US Postal Service.
I try to come home each weekend so if you can catch me then, we can talk as well.
I have introduced HB 2596, a bill that addresses the KDHE proposed rules and regulation of remodeling a residence constructed prior to 1978, as it relates to lead-based paint. When you look up the bill on the legislative website, please understand the final product will most likely have a different look.
We will work the bill during the later parts of this week. To be fair to all the parties we need to make time for changes, compromises, clarifications, and then give staff time to get it in the proper format.
I would like to offer an apology to Susan Wang at KDHE. In my update from last week I stated that I had not received some requested information from her department. Actually I had, the computer gremlins had kept it from me for a while and I now have all the requested information in my hand, egg on my face and crow on the plate. We shall move forward from here, KDHE is working with the contracting industry and me on this.
Topics coming up this Week
HB 2439- Regulating traffic; prohibiting the sending, reading or writing of text messages while operating a motor vehicle (exceptions for Emergency Personnel)
HB 2441- Crimes and punishment; prohibiting text messaging while operating a moving motor vehicle. (Establishes Involuntary manslaughter while driving and texting as a severity level 4, person felony). Obviously serious about this one!
HB 2442- Establishing the Kansas Streamlining Government Commission; providing for an independent review of state agencies of the executive branch of the state government; prescribing powers, duties and functions for the commission and other certain state agencies. (Remember the BRAC style commission on military installation closure?)
HB 2516- Kansas Expanded Lottery Act; relating to racetrack gaming facilities; creating the Kansas Agricultural Opportunity Act, sounds rural doesn’t it? (Revisits the question of whether to allow slot machines at greyhound and horse racing facilities in Sedgwick County.
HB-2519- concerning sales taxation; relating to streamlined sales and use tax agreement conformity
HB 2537- Alcoholic Beverages; (Provides for the sale of single strength cereal malt beverages at all authorized retailers).
HB-2622- Use of public funds for lobbying (No taxpayers funds shall be used for the purpose of employing or contracting for the services of any person whose duty and responsibilities includes lobbying for a tax increase).
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka and I want to know what you think.
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