Long days ahead for the Government Affairs team as we work towards “turn around” day on February 23rd. This week, several committees are working to get last minute bill hearings and complete final action to push through as many bills to their respective chambers as possible. Additionally, both the Senate and House are holding budget hearings for KDADS and KDHE on Monday and Thursday this week.
Shoutout to our members; Shawn Sullivan, Emilie Rains, and Sandy Cline, who provided written or verbal testimony for the budget hearings! While recommendations in the Senate subcommittee were scheduled to take place today, they have been pushed off to Thursday as several legislators are attending the Kansas City Chiefs Superbowl Parade (Go Chiefs!). The House budget committee did make recommendations for the KDHE budget yesterday and included our hospice appropriation and proviso request.
Today, the Government Affairs team will provide proponent testimony on HB2777 which will limit the Fire Marshal’s office from utilizing body worn cameras on inspections in adult care homes. The team also submitted written only testimony on SB390 in Senate Public Health and Welfare raising concerns on how the bill would open employer liability related to workers’ compensation claims.
On Thursday, the Government Affairs team will provide testimony on a bill in House Health and Human Services that would transition CCRC registration authority from the Kansas Insurance Department to Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services, as well as potentially change the bed tax amounts and tiers.
Friday remains to be seen, but we anticipate last-minute hearings as committees try to complete final action and head to their chamber floors next week. You can watch any hearings on the KS Legislature YouTube page.
