SB 584 creates new statutes transferring all responsibility for the inspection and licensing of food service establishments and lodging facilities from the Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to the Secretary of Agriculture effective October 1, 2008.
The Division of Food Safety within the Department of Agriculture (KDA) will be the continuation of the KDHE program concerning food service following the transfer.
HB 2692 amends the statute that defines “scrap metal” to include stainless steel as a regulated scrap metal. That amendment would place scrap metal dealers who purchase stainless steel under the same requirement as other scrap metal dealers in regard to maintaining records of the persons from whom they purchase the metal. Boy! We will all sleep better now won’t we?
And on a brighter note, the same bill would amend the definition of “junk” in KSA 50-619 to exclude aluminum in food or beverage containers.
HB 2908 allows a farm winery to sell wine, manufactured by the winery, to holders of temporary permits who sell alcohol. The bill allows the temporary permit holders at the State Fair to sell, in its original, unopened container, wine that is being sold by the glass.
When you go to the State Fair this fall what you taste and like you will be able to purchase and take home to share with the neighbors. Also, the bill permits consumption of alcoholic liquor on the premises of any Kansas National Guard Armory as authorized by the rules and regulations of the Adjutant General and upon approval of the Kansas Military Board, (this covers the occasional wedding reception held at a rented armory).
HB 2758 amends the statute that requires school districts to prohibit bullying on school property, in school vehicles, and at school events. The bill requires districts to extend their policies to prohibit cyberbullying. In addition, the bill requires school district anti-bullying policies to prohibit bullying using school property.
The bill also expands the age of eligibility for students who qualify for parent education programs to any child under the age of eligibility for school attendance. Current law provides that parent education programs (Parents as Teachers) can be provided for infants and toddlers under the age of three.
HR 6021 urges the State Board of Education to focus more specifically on the reading needs of children with dyslexia. The Resolution addresses early screening, diagnostic assessments, teacher preparation, and instructional programs for students with dyslexia.
HB 2280 prohibits officials, during a declared emergency, from seizing firearms not otherwise prohibited by law, or from requiring registration of firearms not required to be registered under state law. An individual aggrieved by a violation of this bill may bring action in court seeking redress against a person for deprivation of rights provided by the bill, and for return of a firearm seized in violation of this bill.
This is in response to the many firearms seizures in Greensburg following the tornado last year. Evidently some well meaning law enforcement types took it upon themselves to go into houses and take guns. One problem was that many have not been returned. This does not prevent them from picking them up on the street or at a destroyed home. Just remember where you got it.
I am returning to Topeka on Monday to finish up this year’s session. We still have some unfinished business with regards to state employees pay plan, a couple of veto overrides, and some other unfinished business. With revenues reported as down, it becomes harder to commit to spending money we do not have or even expect to get.
As always I appreciate you allowing me to be your State Representative in Topeka. I look forward to ‘wrapping up” in the next week or so. You may contact me after the session at my home 1115 Rim Rock Road, El Dorado, 67042, or www.johngrange.net. Or johng@carlisleinc.net, 316-321-2087.
The preceding documents are available in their entirety at the Kansas Legislative Research Departments website: http://www.kslegislature.org/klrd.
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