LEGISLATIVE UPDATE #15 -- MARCH 28TH, 2007

Wednesday, March 28th, is what is commonly known as drop dead day which means any proposed bills must be worked and completed in either house or sent to a conference committee.

This promises to be a long day as we are waiting for the senate to complete their work on the last few bills we sent to them. Last night we were in session until roughly 8:00pm and came back in at 8:00 am today. Last Friday I left the capitol at 3:45 am, crashed at my apartment for 3 hours and drove home Saturday morning. So I had a very short weekend at home, but I asked for it so I can not blame anyone but myself.

The Legislative Research Department has published the Preliminary Summary of Legislation for 2007 and I will give you a few interesting highlights. The full publication is available at http;//www.kslegislature.org/klrd.

SB 19 amends a statute that allows a tax levy to be made by the county commissioners of any county having a county fair association officially recognized by the Secretary of Agriculture, at the request of the fair association, to make a tax levy for the purpose of acquiring ground for a county fair building or the erection and maintenance of county fair buildings. The bill increases the levy cap for these county fair purposes from $3,000 to $33,000 annually. Yes Butler County is eligible.

SB 190 requires the operators of underground petroleum storage tanks to complete training commensurate with their responsibilities for operation of the tanks. This responsibility covers all operators from those that provide maintenance, daily operation, and those that address emergency operations. HB 2294, Kansas Propane Safety and Licensing Act, exempts those persons who have earned a certificate under the provisions of law dealing with plumbing contractors and master and journeyman plumbers or those master and journeyman HVAC mechanics. If you are licensed under your local code authority you need not apply for the state fire marshal license. HB 2270 designates the Kansas Firefighters Museum located in Wichita, as the official Kansas Firefighters Museum.

SB 95 corrects and updates state law regarding treatment facilities focused on helping mentally ill youth. Specifically, facilities identified as juvenile detention facilities will be identified as psychiatric residential treatment facilities with the statutory change. This clarification is being made at the recommendation of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as necessary to ensure continued federal funding.

What I am showing you is the wide range of issues we are working on. There are over 30 committees that address the issues specific to their individual charges. I will be providing updates during the ensuing weeks.

At the time you are reading this the gambling issue will most likely be resolved and I will provide you a breakdown on the impact, issues, realities, and what it will mean to the state of Kansas. Make no mistake about it, this is a historical change for the state of Kansas and her citizens.

Thanks to all those of you in Whitewater for writing and expressing your views on the Dr. Tiller case. I hope we can convince the AG to fully investigate the allegations.

As always I appreciate what you think and I am honored to be your representative. I am honored when given the opportunity to intervene on your behalf and I still continue to be your advocate in Topeka..

Contact me at www.johngrange.net, State Capitol, Room 411-S, Topeka, Ks. 66612,

785-296-7655, grange@house.state.ks.us, or johng@carlisleinc.net.

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