I am home for a couple of weeks as we take our annual Spring break that has some returning to Topeka on April 28th to complete the budget proposal and attend to Post Audit Committee action. The regular “Veto Session” begins on the 30th and has the potential to run for 8 days to complete our work.
As I explained earlier we are now reduced to conference committee action on bills that have passed both chambers and are resubmitted for approval after comprises agreed to buy the committee. These committees are made up of the chairman, vice-chairman and the ranking minority member from each chamber’s specific committee. When a compromise is suggested, these members work as a team to insure their chamber’s position is upheld. Final vote takes place following explanation and debate on the chamber floor.
The House passed annexation reform this week. The time for county commissioners to hold a hearing to consider whether or not the cities have provided the services promised in the annexation has changed from 5 to 3 years. If the city has not provided the services as agreed to, the landowners will only have to wait one year to petition to de-annex the land.
The House and Senate are working on the budget and two sticking points for the house were $750,000 dollar appropriation, using highway funds, allocated for an un-named project in Labette County and $39 million for prison expansion.
It is irresponsible to misuse highway dollars by appropriating them for anything other than their intended purpose and a solid argument cannot be made for the additional prison bonding since all current projections show that bed space is sufficient to meet demand through at least 2017.
Last year the prison bond money was set aside under the control of the Secretary of Corrections with the promise that it would only be spent in an emergency. Well guess what? 1.7 million was spent to do a study of the feasibility to build a new prison(s) near Independence or Yates Center. These are, close to resembling a congressional “earmark” that we often hear coming from Washington, D.C.
We want the money set aside, our intention is to return the authority back to the legislative process. Some believe that putting this kind of money expenditure into the hands of a political appointee is not a good idea.
On a vote of 83-41, the House passed the substitute for Senate Bill 148. This bill is very similar to the earlier energy plan but with the addition of some “greener” elements such as the provision for more wind generating power. This is an attempt to compromise with the Governor. She has said that she would be willing to work with the Legislature to get an energy plan passed but we have received little or no input from her.
Governor Sebelius has decided to attend “Master’s Golf Tournament in Georgia rather than participate in “the Governor’s One-Shot Turkey Hunt” being held around El Dorado this week. This is the first time in its 22-year history that the current Governor will not be in attendance. Former Governor’s Mike Hayden and Bill Graves are coming back and it is always good to see them participate.
Again this year across the State of Kansas; the Wildlife and Parks Department held community hearings on rules and regulation changes. One issue added was that you might now legally add a scope to your muzzle-loading rifle and use it to take game. Previously many thought the “primitive” hunt aspect would not allow a scope to be used, Daniel Boone never had one I suppose. The scope is allowed, not required.
The smallest caliber allowed for taking deer remains at .243 even though some wanted to further reduce the bullet size down to .21 caliber. This would have allowed the popular 22-250 but the wildlife commission defeated that recommendation. You may also use a crossbow during rifle deer season.
SB 46 as amended would allow persons who were in compliance with the National Firearms Act
(26 USC 5801 et seq.) to possess silencers for firearms, shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long, and automatic weapons.
The bill would allow a licensed dealer, manufacturer, or importer to deal with these types of firearms as well as any person to possess such firearms under the federal restrictions. The State of Kansas had not allowed any licensed firearms dealers to posses these types of weapons, which made it impossible for state, county or municipal law enforcement to purchase the weapons locally.
For all you boating enthusiasts there is a change in the use of a “Captains Call” on your boat mufflers. The device is used on big power boats to by-pass the mufflers and allow the engine to breathe easier and louder.
While in a stationary mode the exhaust noise cannot exceed 92 decibels when measured by enforcement officials. A large orchestra at full blast is around 98 decibels, a subway train at 200 feet is 95 decibels and a train whistle at 500 feet is 90 decibels.
Next week I will have an interesting report on mandates in the health care industry. The Council for Affordable Health Insurance (CAHI) has tracked state health insurance mandate legislation in all 50 states and their actuarial team has estimates on the impact of those mandated benefits on the cost of the benefit.
I consider it an honor and privilege to be your Representative in Topeka. Please feel free to contact me at home 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado 67042 or call 316-321-6230. My email contacts include johng@carlisleinc.net, or grange@house.state.ks.us. Thank-you, Rep. John C. Grange
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