2.4.11 Newsletter

The fourth week in Session was full of interesting events.  For the first time in decades, the Legislature closed due to what is now called the “Blizzard of 2011” with areas of the state receiving freezing rain and a foot of snow or more.   When we returned to our work on Thursday after the two day closure, the House Chaplain expressed in prayer that often our best intentions and plans do change quoting Proverbs 19:21, “Many are the plans in a man’s heart but the council of Lord will stand.”  This is one of my personal favorites as a man who found direction in that very verse.  In fact this week we were forced to pick a direction as we voted on the first round of Legislation for this session.

Rats and Cats

On Thursday we worked three bills on “General Orders.”  This refers to the work for the Committee of the Whole which includes all members. This is the opportunity for members to amend and discuss the bill. The term “Rats and Cats” is one used in the Capitol to describe bills that are not controversial and that should not take a lot of time on the Floor of the House.  While of a noncontroversial nature, these bills are still very important to some in our State. 

The first bill, HB 2001, clarifies who pays for the funding required for the operation of the Law Enforcement Training Center and moves the operation of the fund from the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center (KLTEC) to the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training correcting an oversight in prior legislation. HB 2033 would allow fleets of 250 vehicles or more to be able to receive permanent registration and will streamline the registration process for county treasurers’ offices across the state without changing local government revenues.

HB 2057 would add crimes labs in Johnson and Sedgwick Counties to the list of sources which provide forensic evidence without requiring a forensic scientist to appear in court for every hearing.  Current law already makes this provision for the KBI, the Kansas Highway Patrol, and several federal agencies.  This will assist law enforcement by allowing forensic scientists to be able to spend more time in the Lab completing exams rather than attending hearings in court.  Anything that we can do to stretch our limited resources is a winner. 

Real Debate Friday

Last year the legislature prohibited local governments from mandating sprinkler systems for single family and duplex housing for one year; HB 2088 would make this law permanent.  The law does not prohibit any homeowner from choosing to add the system to their home and also doesn’t affect triplexes or multi-unit housing. 

At the heart of the debate was that this law does interfere with local government’s ability to make their own decisions.  This is weighted against the cost benefit and the effectiveness of the sprinkler systems.  Contrary to common thought, the systems do not extinguish fire but are effective in allowing more time for occupants to escape a residential fire.  Installation of the system will add at least $10,000 per house and as compared to the home with the integrated smoke alarm (already mandated by state law for all new construction), the percent that survive a residential fire is 96.45%.  The sprinkler system does improve that to 96.70%.  The legislature had already taken appropriate action when the integrated smoke alarms became standard in new construction.

Another brisk debate on HR 6004 concerning rules of the House centered on one new proposed rule, “The Pay-go Rule.”  The rule requires any amendment to any appropriations bill which adds money must identify the same amount to reduce in the budget.  This is a common sense change mirroring the way we all have to operate our family or business budgets.  You have to make real priorities and in a tough year like this, our legislature must do the same.

Soon, we will be faced with making decisions on very difficult issues.  As always, I do my best work when you take time to share with me your thoughts and concerns. Please take the time to fill out an issues survey at www.jenevickrey.org and click the link “Survey” to respond.

Sincerely

Jene Vickrey