Legislative Update: Week Five
This was an intense week in the Statehouse as committees raced against the clock to work on bills in anticipation of Turnaround Day on February 20, the last day that bills from non-exempt committees can receive action in their house of origin. This means the House must vote on all bills they want to send to the Senate and vice versa. Of course, we know that session deadlines can be somewhat fluid as there are different mechanisms that legislative leadership can use to keep a bill alive, most notably by “blessing a bill.” This allows a bill not heard in committee or voted on by the full chamber to stay on the calendar for potential action until sine die, the last day of session.
We anticipate that committees will meet Monday and Tuesday, with a lot of time on the floor through Thursday voting on bills passed out of committee. There will be some long days and the votes will happen quickly, which is why it is critical that we all keep an eye on what’s happening under the dome. Here’s what we’ve been working on this week:
Protecting the Courts
We are closely watching SCR 1611, proposing a constitutional amendment to provide for direct election of supreme court justices and abolish the supreme court nominating commission. We oppose this amendment as the current method ensures that the court remains non-partisan and staves off outside influences – and dark money – from infiltrating the Kansas Supreme Court. We are still waiting for information on a hearing, but in the meantime, please contact your legislator and tell them to vote no on any amendment that changes how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected.
Supporting Justice-Involved Youth
Yesterday, the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice had final discussion on both HB HB 2228, which and HB 2179, and passed both out of committee!
HB 2179 prohibits fines and fees from being assessed against a youth or their parent, guardian or custodian. As an organization that has long championed ending youth fines and fees and introduced this bill, we provided testimony in support of the bill, along with several organization partners and private citizens. HB 2228 would require the secretary of corrections to assist inmates with obtaining identification and employment related documentation prior to release from custody. We testified in support of this bill.
Today, there are hearings scheduled in the House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice for HB 2325, authorizing judges to commit juvenile offenders to detention for technical violations of probation, increasing the cumulative detention limit for juvenile offenders and increasing criminal penalties for juvenile offenders who use a firearm in the commission of an offense or who are repeat offenders, and HB 2329, providing for increased placement of juvenile offenders in non-foster home beds in youth residential facilities, requiring the associated costs be paid from the evidence-based programs account of the state general fund moneys to contract for such beds in youth residential facilities. We submitted testimony opposing both of these bills, as they would undo years of progress within the youth justice system.
Improving the State’s Foster Care System
On Monday, the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care had final discussion and made amendments to HB 2075, which now requires that a permanency hearing for a child in custody of the secretary be held within nine months of such child’s removal from such child’s home and subsequent hearings be held every six months thereafter. We are happy to see this positive legislation not only be recommended to move forward out of committee, but take an additional step towards a better foster care system for Kansas kids.
Next Monday, the House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care will have a hearing on HB 2311, prohibiting the secretary from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral. We will provide opponent testimony to this bill.
Reducing Hunger in Kansas
Lawmakers in the House Committee on Appropriations paused Department for Children and Families administrative funds for Summer EBT unless Secretary Howard requests a waiver from the USDA that could ban sugary drinks and candy for all SNAP recipients in Kansas. We are disappointed to see political maneuvering and gamesmanship at the expense of hungry Kansas kids, but remain optimistic that a resolution will be achieved so that Summer EBT will be available to kids this summer.
Multiple bills on SNAP food assistance remain that would further harm Kansans needing the program, and we believe that some may see action on the floor next week such as HB 2015, which would direct the secretary for children and families to request a waiver from supplemental nutrition assistance program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance. We oppose this bill.
We also remain concerned about HB 2358, a bill requiring able-bodied adults and work registrants without dependents under six years of age to participate in an employment training program as a condition of receiving food assistance. This is an egregious, cruel overstep that will undoubtedly harm struggling Kansas families across the state. We oppose this bill and will continue to monitor if it.
As the next week progresses, we’ll keep you updated on any bills that might require quick action on your part – remember, your voice is your power!
