5.13.11 Newsletter
5/13/11
Thursday was the last day of the 2011 session and was also the 90th day which ran until 6 a.m. Friday morning. I had the honor of being in the Chair from 10 a.m. Thursday through Friday. With a few breaks for calendar to discuss bill changes, we spent most of the 20 hours on the Floor of the House. It is not unusual that it requires a long night to finalize a budget compromise.
From the start of this Legislative Session it was clear passing a budget would be a huge challenge considering we had a $550 million hole to fill. As the final budget bill was debated it was criticized that it both spent too much and at the same time it didn’t spend enough. Well it is always easy to find numerous problems with a multi-billion dollar budget. Especially in tough times when the economy is down and many people are struggling, budget cuts are painful.
At the end the final budget for the first time since 1972 cut close to a billion dollars from the all funds budget and turned the $550 million dollar deficit into a $50 million dollar surplus without a tax increase. We are hopeful that provides enough reserves that K-12 payments can be made on time and that the Governor is not forced to cut budgets before the next session. Along with passing the 2012 fiscal year budget, we also approved numerous important bills including three I have highlighted: the dui reform bill, bill to rework the local option budget for K-12 and the engineering initiative.
DUI Reform (SB 6)
SB 6 will make some much needed improvements in our DUI statutes. It has been clear that our biggest problem has been the number people continue to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol after one or more dui convictions. The risk is very real for all of our families as they travel throughout our state. The bill has come after a very careful review by the legislature over the past off session by a special legislative committee. It has been clear that we needed to focus on how to better prevent these repeat acts and the current law suspending driving licenses has not worked. Under the new DUI bill, interlock devices will be installed for six months on a first conviction. The interlock device is a piece of technology that has been available and used for several years. A driver must blow into the device that has the ability to detect any alcohol in the person’s breath. If any is detected the devise disables the vehicle. The costs of the devices are paid for by the individual. The interlock devise will be required for one year on a second conviction, two years for a third and three years for a fourth violation.
One point that created a debate is that the Fifth-time DUI offenders will no longer have driver’s licenses revoked. It has been estimated 80 percent of these offenders continue to drive illegally, and under the new rule they will only be allowed to drive in the next 10 years with an interlock device.
SB 6 passed the Senate by a vote 39 to 0 on Thursday, May 12, and the House by a vote of 121 to 3. Governor Brownback is expected to sign the new DUI provisions into law.
Local Option Budget Calculations (HB 2015)
HB 2015 extends the sunset date for the current method of calculating the local option budget (LOB) of a school district to June 30, 2014. This is important because it will extend the treatment that is current law, when the BSAPP is $4,433 or less, school boards may calculate the LOB based on a BSAPP of $4,433 or an amount not exceeding 30 percent of its general fund budget, whichever is greater, plus the amount received in special education state aid in the 2008-2009 school year, or the current BSAPP appropriation, whichever is greater. Also, the bill reauthorizes the school district property tax mill levy for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 school years.
HB 2015 passed the Senate by a vote of 37 to 0 on Thursday, May 12, and the House by a vote of 122 to 0. Governor Brownback is also expected to sign this bill into law.
Engineering Initiative (SB 127)
SB 127 creates the University Engineering Initiative Act intended to increase the number of engineering graduates to 1,365 per year by 2021. The bill allows for the development of a plan that ensures engineering industry partners find new talent, designs and techniques needed to fuel economic growth and business success in Kansas. The acquisition, construction and equipping of engineering facilities on state-owned buildings at K-State, KU and Wichita State is authorized by the bill. Three new engineering funds are created under the bill for the three universities and the bill directs the first $10.5 million from gaming proceeds to be divided equally among the funds. Universities are requires to match funds on a $1 for $1 basis from private resources.
This is an important piece of legislation signaling our trained focus as a state to train and retain quality engineers. It will bolster our efforts to attract and create high paying jobs to keep Kansas students in Kansas. SB 127 passed the Senate by a vote of 36 to 1 and the House by a vote of 86 to 36 on Thursday, May 12. The bill now heads to Governor Brownback for his signature.
Adam Walsh Act (SB 37)
Passed in 2006 by the United States Congress, the Adam Walsh Act requires strict reporting requirements for convicted sexual predators. Current Kansas law requires three reporting dates per year to the local sheriff’s office and a report to the past and new sheriff when an individual moves within 10 days. To comply with changes in federal law, Kansas will now require convicted predators to report four times a year and within 3 days of moving to the sheriff’s office. The KBI testified in support of this bill and believed it would help local authorities keep an eye on those who have been shown to commit repeat offenses.
Contact Information
Although the legislature has adjourned until January, please continue to let me know your thoughts on what issues are impacting you. I’m excited to return home and begin meeting with constituents! Listening to ideas and input from constituents is an important part of the legislative process and one I enjoy. Please feel free to call at 785.291.3500 or email jene.vickrey@house.ks.gov and I’d be happy to discuss any topic you are interested in. Thank you for the honor of serving you!
Sincerely
Jene