Institute for Legislative Analysis

Mike Thompson

This bill authorizes cities with a population of 60,000 or more to designate a reinvestment housing incentive district. As a result, local governments may issue bonds (debt) to finance the renovation or construction of residential dwellings, multifamily units, and other residential structures on existing lots. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as these spending initiatives go directly against the principles of fiscal restraint and limited government. Instead of growing government and central planning, lawmakers should empower the free market to make housing truly "affordable" by reducing stringent zoning regulations which significantly drive-up housing costs.

Increasing Government Central Planning of Housing by Expanding the Crony Kansas Rural Housing Incentive District Act.

This bill amends the definition of "small employer" for purposes of a health insurance mandate, which requires coverage for diagnosis and treatment of autism spectrum disorder for individuals under 12. Under the bill, a small employer is one with an average of 2-50 employees (previously an average of 1-100 employees). Existing law requires the Commissioner of the Department of Insurance to grant a small employer a waiver of this requirement if the employer shows that it has caused an increase in premium costs of 2.5% or more. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill allows fewer businesses to qualify for a waiver from the coverage requirement, as fewer businesses will be considered a "small employer". Each and every health insurance mandate or price control on co-payments prevents an individual or business from selecting a plan with just basic or customized coverages to fit their specific needs. As a result, health insurers are forced to only offer costly plans loaded with coverages that most individuals do not need.

Hiking Health Insurance Premiums by No Longer Providing Small Businesses a Waiver from the Autism Spectrum Disorder Coverage Mandate.

This bill enacts the interstate teacher mobility compact, which allows teacher licensed in another participating state to teach in Kansas. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces teacher shortages and helps ensure classrooms are staffed by the most qualified and effective educators.

Reducing Teacher Shortages by Enacting Occupational Licensing Reciprocity for Teachers.

This bill contains several provisions related to election law. Most notably, the bill prohibits county election officers from distributing advance voting ballot applications unless they are specifically requested by voters or voters are on the permanent advance voting ballot list. The bill also allows poll agents to be present during all recounts and post-election audits. Additionally, the bill prohibits county election officers from allowing any person to create or distribute an image of voting system hard drives, requires county election officers to maintain backup copies of voting system hard drives, and makes unauthorized access to electronic voting systems or publishing passwords or other confidential information related to electronic voting systems a felony. Support is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud is a critical aspect of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Prohibiting Mailing Unsolicited Ballot Applications and Expanding Safeguards Against Fraud.

This bill establishes the Legislative Compensation Commission to study and increase the salary levels of state lawmakers. Members of the commission are appointed by state lawmakers in leadership positions and the governor. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as there is high demand for the prestige of serving as a Kansas state lawmaker and the associated benefits with the position. Considering there are a large number of individuals vying for the position (the reason for elections), salary hikes represent an unnecessary cost for taxpayers.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs through Unnecessary Pay Hikes for State Lawmakers via a "Legislative Compensation Commission".

This resolution disapproves a rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service which placed population segments of the lesser prairie chicken on either the "threatened" or "endangered" list of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The classifications have an impact on farming and ranching activities. Support is the Limited Government Position as the rule results in a disproportionate regulatory burden imposed by unaccountable bureaucrats, which weaken property rights and drive-up costs for farmers and ranchers.

Protecting Property Rights by Disapproving an Overreaching Biden Administration Rule Concerning the Lesser Prairie Chicken on the Endangered Species Act.

This resolution urges the President "to reject unscientific environmental mandates that restrict domestic energy production" and "to reevaluate energy policies that have curtailed domestic production of oil and natural gas." Support is the Limited Government Position as the country must adopt an "all of the above" approach to energy production that balances environmental concerns with the need to provide Americans with the lowest possible energy costs.

Urging the President to Support American Energy Dominance.

This bill provides that drivers for transportation network companies (such as Uber and Lyft) are considered independent contractors, not employees. The bill applies to cases where the company and driver agree in writing to this classification and certain conditions are met, such as that the company does not require the driver to work at certain times. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill protects employment opportunities and allows rideshare drivers and companies to maintain flexibility and low consumer costs.

Maintaining Low Prices by Classifying Ridesharing Drivers as Independent Contractors.

This bill makes several changes to alcohol regulations. First, the bill loosens regulations on the sale and on-premises consumption of cereal malt beverages on Sundays by removing the requirement that at least 30% of the businesses' sales come from food purchases. The bill also eliminates the requirement that traffic be blocked in "common consumption areas" during events and allows food establishments, such as restaurants and grocery stores, as well as microbreweries, to allow dogs in outside areas. Finally, the bill loosens restrictions on alcohol samples and allows alcohol to be provided as a prize for a charitable raffle to individuals 21 and older. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens individual liberties by removing overreaching regulations that restrict competition within the alcohol industry and infringe on consumer choice.

Expanding Individual Liberties by Allowing More Bars to Open on Sundays Through the Loosening of Overreaching Regulations on Alcohol.

This bill expands the Medical Student Loan Act, which pays full tuition and a stipend of up to $2,000 per month for undergraduate medical students at the University of Kansas who agree to practice in certain areas of the state. Under this bill, obstetrics and gynecology is included among the approved postgraduate residency training programs. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the free market - not central planning by government bureaucrats - is the best mechanism to determine the need and distribution of physicians across the state. Taxpayers in urban areas should not be forced to subsidize the amenities of individuals who choose to locate in rural or other portions of the state where doctors are not as accessible.

Growing Government Central Planning by Forcing Taxpayers to Pay Off the Student Loan Debt of OB/GYNs in a "Service Commitment Area".

This bill increases the amount of per diem compensation that members of boards, commissions, and councils are eligible to receive, from $35 to the rate legislators receive, $88.66. This includes members of the Board of Accountancy, Citizens' Utility Ratepayer Board, Kansas Human Rights Commission, and others. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as many state boards and commissions serve unnecessary government functions, with the ones that are of importance are typically able to be filled by a multitude of applicants not seeking compensation. This measure dissuades the termination of unnecessary boards and commissions.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs through an Unnecessary Increase in the Per Diem Rate Provided to Members of State Boards, Commissions and Councils.

This bill applies to Congress for a convention of the states to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution "that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government and limit the terms of office for officials of the federal government and members of the Congress of the United States." Support is the Limited Government Position as lawmakers must reign in the out-of-control spending and $33 trillion national debt, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Applying for a Convention of the States to Propose Amendments to the U.S. Constitution to Impose Fiscal Restraint and Limit the Power of the Federal Government.

This bill, which includes the Kansas Apprenticeship Act, establishes multiple new tax credit and grant programs. Under the bill, up to $10 million in income tax credits may be provided annually to businesses that employ apprentices. The bill also establishes the Kansas Educator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program to provide grants to education apprentices for expenses such as tuition and books to obtain their degree. Finally, the bill establishes the Engineering Graduate Incentive Fund for scholarships for engineering students, funding engineering internships, hiring additional faculty or providing faculty raises, and other uses. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice. College and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e., tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path. This measure merely fuels greater spending and wealth redistribution.

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending and Wealth Redistribution Through New Apprentice Tax Credits and Grants for Education and Engineering Students.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of a bill that allows school districts to provide firearm safety education programs "for the purposes of promoting the safety and protection of students and emphasizing how students should respond when encountering a firearm." The bill directs the state board of education to develop grade-based curriculum guidelines (based on the NRA's Eddie Eagle GunSafe program and the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism's Hunter Education program) that school districts must follow if they choose to implement such programs. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill allows school districts to offer programs designed to increase firearm safety and awareness for students, while not mandating such programs.

Improving Firearm Safety by Authorizing School Districts to Provide Firearm Safety Education Courses.

This bill prevents state employees and officers from downloading or accessing TikTok on state devices or networks. Support is the Limited Government Position as the installation of such systems poses a significant and unnecessary threat to state and federal networks. Additionally, state employees should not be utilizing government equipment to access entertainment apps such as TikTok.

Strengthening National Security by Banning TikTok from Being Accessed on State-Issued Devices or Networks.

This bill designates the Lehigh Portland Trails in Allen County as Lehigh Portland State Park, bringing the property under the management of the Department of Wildlife and Parks. According to the bill's fiscal note, design and building construction costs would be approximately $5 to $7 million, plus costs for an environmental site assessment, master plan development, and other expenses. The property is currently managed by a volunteer organization. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as the private sector is best equipped to manage and maximize land utilization - including for parks. Further growing government control and ownership of land merely drives up taxpayer costs and leads to further government spending initiatives.

Further Growing Government's Unsustainable Land Holdings via a New State Park Costing Taxpayers over $5 Million.

This bill increases the annual transfer from the state highway fund to the rail service improvement fund from $5 million to $10 million. The rail service improvement fund is used to provide grants and loans to railroad companies for various purposes, such as financing purchases of railroad cars and for track maintenance. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as any maintenance or expansion costs pertaining to the rail industry should be paid for through user fees, such as higher assessments on railroad companies and shippers. These costs should not be borne on motorists and other taxpayers through a raiding of the Highway Trust Fund.

Forcing Motorists to Subsidize the Rail Industry Through a Raid of the Highway Trust Fund.

This bill, the Kansas Vacant Property Act, prohibits municipalities across the state from imposing any ordinances that require a property owner, or the holder of a mortgage or lien of a vacant property, to pay any tax or fee specifically because the property is vacant. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill protects against local government overreach. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Protecting Against Local Government Overreach by Prohibiting Municipalities from Imposing Special Taxes and Fees on Vacant Properties.

This bill, the Kansas Public Investments and Contracts Protection Act, prohibits the consideration of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) in decisions relating to state contracting or procurement, as well as in investment strategies for the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System. The consideration of ESG oftentimes leads to higher taxpayer costs and results in reduced financial returns for taxpayers. The bill also prohibits state agencies from requiring any person or business to operate in accordance with ESG criteria. Support is the Limited Government Position as all public procurement and investment actions should be based on producing the maximum return and value for taxpayers, not advancing political or social agendas.

Protecting Taxpayers by Prohibiting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Considerations in State and Local Contracts and Investment Strategies.

This bill establishes a new sales tax exemption for sales of equipment, machinery, and similar purchases by communications companies to provide communication services, including internet, phone, and television. This exemption would apply until July 1, 2028 and is projected to reduce tax revenue by about $17 million each year. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill worsens corporate welfare and cronyism by providing competitive advantages to select industries and businesses at the expense of taxpayers. Instead of attempting to centrally plan the economy, lawmakers should cut taxes across all industries, which will allow the free market to provide far greater job and business growth. Unsurprisingly, the bill was lobbied by several telecommunications companies.

Enriching Woke Communications Companies Through Crony New Sales Tax Exemptions.

This bill prohibits the state and local governments across the state from imposing any ordinances or building codes which restrict the use of refrigerants approved under federal law, as long as the installation and use follows federal law and regulations. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill protects against local government overreach, which unnecessarily drives-up building costs. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Protecting Against Higher Construction Costs by Ensuring Localities Can't Impose Additional Ordinances on Refrigerants that are More Stringent than Federal Regulations.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of section 115(h) of the annual appropriations bill. Section 115(h) prohibited colleges and universities from using any state funds to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion ideology or compel students or employees to conform to such beliefs. Colleges and universities also may not give preferential treatment to student or employee applicants based on the person voluntarily providing a statement of their position on such ideology. Support is the Limited Government Position as colleges and universities should be focused on educating and preparing students for careers, not advancing social and political agendas. Taxpayer funds especially should not be utilized to promote DEI or CRT, which are ideologies that sow division amongst Americans.

Protecting Taxpayer Funds from Being Utilized for Politicized Critical Race Theory and Diversity Endorsement at Colleges and Universities.

This bill requires public utilities to include an evaluation of the utility's regional rate competitiveness and rate impact on economic development in an application for a rate change. The bill also specifies which expenses an investor-owned utility may recover through a transmission delivery charge. Support is the Limited Government Position as utility companies, which are granted government monopoly powers, should receive heavy review and scrutiny from regulators to ensure they are operating most efficiently and not enriching themselves at the expense of families and businesses through higher electricity rates.

Protecting Electricity Customers by Providing Greater Oversight of Utility Rates.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of the parent's bill of rights. This bill declared that "every parent of a child in this state has a right to direct the education, upbringing and moral or religious training of such child." The bill allowed parents to object to materials and activities used in public schools that were not part of the district or state approved curriculum or that violated the parent's sincerely held beliefs, and to withdraw their child during such instruction. Support is the Limited Government Position as strong parental rights in their child's education is a critical element of a free society.

Strengthening the Integrity of the Public Education System by Providing Parents More Control Over their Child's Education Through a Parent's Bill of Rights.

This bill raises the minimum age to purchase, sell, or possess cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, or tobacco products from 18 to 21. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as tobacco and nicotine usage is an individual liberty which individuals who have reached the age of maturity should be able to exercise without unnecessary government restriction.

Infringing Individual Liberties by Raising the Tobacco and Nicotine Age to 21.

This bill increases the amount of income tax credits available under the Disability Employment Act from $5 million to $10 million for vendors who employ a certain percentage of disabled workers and do not pay sub-minimum wages. The bill also eliminates the expiration of the program and establishes the Kansas Sheltered Workshop Transition Fund to provide matching grants to employers who commit to not paying sub-minimum wage to workers with disabilities. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as, while perhaps well intended, this bill ultimately places even greater financial burdens on taxpayers by further diluting the tax base. Furthermore, sunset dates on any special interest tax credit program should never be removed, to ensure the program is meeting expectations and properly reevaluated by lawmakers.

Hiking Taxpayer Costs by Increasing Income Tax Credits for Purchases from Qualified Vendors Under the Disability Employment Act.

This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Environment from forcing any student enrolling in a public elementary or secondary school in the state for the first time to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits the department from requiring children in childcare facilities to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill eliminates the authority of the Secretary of Health and Environment and local health officers to issue certain orders related to disease testing, quarantine, and treatment, instead allowing officials to make public recommendations. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure helps protect individual liberties by ensuring it is parents - not government - making the medical decision on whether or not to vaccinate their child against COVID-19. Additionally, the bill protects against overreaching government mandates related to masks and shutdowns.

Strengthening Parental Rights by Prohibiting Government Entities from Mandating Children Receive COVID-19 Vaccines to Attend Childcare or School.

This bill makes Kansas the 21st state to enact the counseling compact, which allows professional counselors licensed in another participating state to provide services to individuals in Kansas through telehealth. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill expands access to counseling services and competition and serves as a step in the right direction to reducing unnecessary employment barriers.

Reducing Unnecessary Regulatory Barriers by Allowing Out-of-State Counselors to Provide Services via Telehealth.

This bill, the Sunflower Education Equity Act, enacts an Education Savings Account Program, which allows all students who are eligible to enroll in public K-12 and certain prekindergarten students to receive funding for educational expenses, such as tuition at a private school, textbooks, and tutoring. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill improves educational outcomes for all students by fostering competition and a market in education, which encourages schools to provide the best education so they can attract parents to enroll their child and receive the associated funding.

Improving Educational Outcomes by Expanding School Choice Through an Education Savings Account Program.

This bill establishes a regulatory framework for "advanced recycling", which recycles "post-use polymers and recovered feedstocks", such as industrial and agricultural plastics, and provides that such facilities are not considered solid waste facilities. Support is the Limited Government Position as this measure advances innovation and spurs economic growth by ensuring advanced recycling is not subject to excessive regulations as a waste facility. Such recycling methods can provide significant benefits to society, including lower industrial and consumer costs.

Advancing Innovation and Economic Growth by Ensuring "Advanced Recycling" Process are not Subject to Overreaching Regulations.

This bill eliminates multiple fees for obtaining or renewing a concealed carry license, including a $100 fee paid to the attorney general and a $16 fee paid to the department of revenue, as well as a $25 renewal fee and $15 expired renewal fee. Under the bill, the only remaining cost is $32.50 to the county sheriff to cover the cost of fingerprinting. Support is the Limited Government Position as James Madison and our nation's other founding fathers understood that the right to keep and bear arms is a crucial individual liberty and protects the citizenry against a tyrannical government. This measure helps protect against unnecessary licensing fees that are solely designed to generate revenue.

Strengthening Second Amendment Rights by Eliminating State Agency Fees for Concealed Carry Licenses.

This bill extends the maximum loan repayment term for municipalities that receive a loan from the Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund from 20 years to 30 years. The fund provides loans to municipalities at or below market rates for the "acquisition, construction, improvement, repair, rehabilitation, or extension of a wastewater treatment works." Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this bill weakens a fiscal safeguard designed to constrain spending and taxpayer debt levels. Monthly payments for such projects will now be lower, placing less scrutiny to the needs and costs of such projects.

Weakening a Fiscal Safeguard by Extending the Repayment Period of Kansas Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund for Localities.

This bill, the Kansas Adult Learner Grant Act, establishes a grant program to provide $3,000 grants each semester to college students who are 25 or older and pursuing a degree designated by the state board of regents as an "adult learner grant eligible program," such as nursing or education. Eligibility is also limited to students with a household income of $100,000 or less for a family of two or $150,000 or less for a family of three, and students must agree to live and work in Kansas for two years after graduating. Additionally, grant recipients who complete their degree are also eligible for a "Kansas workforce retention incentive" income tax credit of up to $1,500 if they live in the state for two years and are employed in Kansas or entered the military. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as this wealth redistribution scheme enriches individuals who choose to pursue college or the trades at the expense of others who may choose to start a business or other career path not requiring costly training. The state must pursue every available avenue to reign in its out-of-control spending, which, when coupled with the over $185 trillion federal liabilities, represents the greatest existential threat facing this country.

Expanding Wealth Redistribution and Out-of-Control Spending by Providing Adult Learners with $3,000 Grants and a $1,500 Income Tax Credit.

This bill contains a number of occupational licensing reforms designed to reduce regulatory burdens. Most notably, the bill allows pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines after completing required training, requires the behavioral sciences regulatory board to adopt an expedited application process for occupational licenses, which requires a decision within 15 days, and establishes a "sports waiver" allowing sports team physicians licensed in another state to treat athletes and coaches while in the state. The bill also reduces annual continuing education requirements, extends and establishes new temporary licenses, and reduces the amount of time certain behavioral sciences licenses must be held in another state in order to receive a reciprocal license. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as a step in the right direction to reducing unnecessary employment barriers. Most occupational licensing regulations - especially those enacted at the local level - are overly restrictive and primarily designed to restrict competition.

Combatting Regulatory Overreach Through Occupational Licensing Reforms.

This bill contains multiple provisions related to individual and corporate tax rates. The bill replaces income tax brackets with a flat tax of 5.15%, reduces the corporate tax rate from 4% to 3%, and increases the exemption on social security income. The bill also increases the amount of property value exempt from school district property taxes from $40,000 to $60,000 and eliminates the sales tax on food and food ingredients beginning in 2024 instead of 2025. Support is the Limited Government Position as these tax cuts will drive businesses to Kansas and unleash economic growth by keeping a greater amount of resources in the private sector where they can be reinvested.

Expanding Economic Growth by Lowering the Corporate Tax Rate and Replacing Personal Income Tax Brackets with a Flat Tax.

This bill requires all advance vote-by-mail ballots to be received by the county election office by 7:00 pm on election day in order to be counted. Previously, ballots received up to 3 days after election day could be counted as long as they were postmarked before the polls closed on election day. Support is the Limited Government Position as maintaining strong safeguards against voter fraud are critical aspects of ensuring free and fair elections, an essential component of democracy under our nation's constitutional republic.

Strengthening Election Integrity by Requiring Advance Voting Ballots be Returned by Election Day.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of a bill that establishes work requirements under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for recipients ages 50-59 who have no dependents and are not exempt under federal law. Under the bill, these recipients would be required to be assigned to an employment and training program. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces government dependency and helps work-ready adults to become self-sufficient.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency by Establishing Work Requirements for SNAP Welfare Program Recipients Ages 50-59.

This bill permits restaurants to allow dogs in outside areas and microbreweries to allow dogs in outside and inside areas. The bill also provides that beer containing up to 6% alcohol sold as individual drinks by microbreweries is considered a cereal malt beverage instead of beer. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill reduces unnecessary government restrictions by allowing restaurants and microbreweries to make their own determinations about whether to allow dogs on their premises.

Reducing Unnecessary Regulations by Allowing Businesses to Determine Their Own Dog Policies.

This bill allows students enrolled in a virtual school to take any statewide assessments virtually, helping reduce transportation barriers. Administration of virtual assessments must meet certain requirements, such as monitoring of the student by camera and use of internet browser lockdown software. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill strengthens school choice by removing a barrier that may have dissuaded families from choosing virtual school for their children.

Reducing a Barrier to School Choice by Allowing Virtual School Students to take Virtual Assessments.

The Miller amendment to a bill establishing sales tax exemptions for sales of communications service equipment. This amendment exempts multiple products from the state's sales tax, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, shampoo, toothbrushes, and toothpaste. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as all state and local tax codes should be constructed in a broadly applied manner with the lowest rates possible for everyone. While well intentioned, this measure ultimately dilutes the tax base and shifts tax burdens onto other products and individuals not favored by government. Instead of merely engaging in tax cronyism, lawmakers should work to make all products more affordable for consumers by significantly cutting government spending.

Diluting the Tax Base and Shifting Tax Burdens onto other Products and Individuals Through Special Sales Tax Exemptions for Hygiene Products.

This bill repeals the state's prohibition on fees for using a credit or debit card for a transaction instead of cash. As a result, businesses may elect to add a surcharge on transactions made with a credit or debit card. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill promotes a freer market by eliminating an anti-competitive government regulation, which prohibited businesses from being able to recover the up to 3.5% processing fees charged by credit card companies.

Promoting a Freer Market through the Elimination of an Excessive Ban on the Ability of Businesses to Recover Credit Card Fee Surcharges.

This bill requires both custodial and non-custodial parents to cooperate with the child support enforcement program in order to be eligible for food assistance programs. Under existing law, parents who do not cooperate with child support services without good cause are ineligible. The bill also disqualifies custodial or non-custodial parents from receiving food assistance if they are delinquent in making court-ordered child support payments. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill promotes both a reduction in government dependency and helps boost child support enforcement.

Promoting Self-Sufficiency and Increasing Integrity in the SNAP Welfare Program by Strengthening Requirements that Recipients Comply with Child Support Obligations.

This bill increases the amount of bonds (debt) that local airport authorities may issue without voter approval. Under the bill, authorities may issue bonds of less than $10 million (previously $1 million) without voter approval. For bonds of $10 million or more, the bill allows the board of county commissioners to approve the bonds (previously, voter approval was required for this amount). Additionally, the bill allows the county board of commissioners to approve bonds exceeding the previous cap of 1.85% of the assessed value of taxable property in the county. Finally, the bill increases the threshold for construction projects for which the secretary of administration is required to convene a negotiating committee to $1.5 million, increased annually for inflation (previously $500 thousand or $1 million, depending on the project). Oppose is the Limited Government Position as not only does this measure further indebt taxpayers via bond issuance, it also reduces government integrity and accountability by removing taxpayers from decisions with significant financial impacts.

Weakening Government Integrity by Expanding the Amount of Debt Issued by Local Boards Without a Vote of the People.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of a bill containing multiple provisions related to the regulation of childcare facilities. The bill reduces qualification requirements for childcare program directors and allows an individual to care for up to 12 children between the ages of two and a half to 10, while prohibiting local governments from adopting any ordinances imposing more restrictive staffing ratio requirements. The bill also reduces the minimum required floor space per child, eliminates the annual license fee for childcare facilities and allows day care facilities to request a waiver from certain requirements. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill serves as a step in the right direction to reducing excessive regulations within the childcare industry. Lawmakers should build on this deregulatory approach to make childcare more affordable.

Reducing Childcare Costs and Increasing Availability by Reducing Costly and Excessive Regulations.

This motion overrides the Governor's veto of a bill which establishes the felony offenses of human smuggling (up to 55 months in prison) and aggravated human smuggling (up to 100 months in prison). Support is the Limited Government Position as human trafficking has enormous negative implications on national security and devastates victims of the practice and their families. Both Kansas and the U.S. government have duties to secure the border and restore law and order by holding criminals accountable.

Combatting Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration Through New Felonies for Human Smuggling.

This bill establishes the "STAR Bonds Food Sales Tax Revenue Replacement Fund" and expands the uses of STAR fund bonds (government debt issuance) to now include construction or renovation costs of historic theaters and the construction or purchase of rides for major amusement parks. The bill also increases the amount of financing local governments may provide under the STAR program for rural development projects without issuing special obligation bonds from $10 million to $25 million. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as providing funding for theater and amusement park construction goes against the principles of limited government. Additionally, this measure places taxpayer funds at risk if these projects fail to succeed.  The private sector and free market are the best mechanisms to determine the need and provide investment for entertainment facilities.

Expanding Cronyism and Government Central Planning by Expanding Fund Usage Within the  STAR Bond Program.

This bill establishes the Engineering Graduate Incentive Fund to provide matching grants to public and private universities for scholarships for engineering students, funding engineering internships, hiring additional faculty or providing faculty raises, and other uses. Subject to appropriations, the bill provides $1.5 million for the fund in 2023 and up to $5 million each year thereafter until 2033. Oppose is the Limited Government Position as it is a necessary role for government to provide quality K-12 education - ideally through school choice. College and university-level education should be funded through user fees (i.e., tuition) by those who wish to pursue their selected career path.

Fueling Out-of-Control Spending and Wealth Redistribution Through a New Incentive Fund for College and University Engineering Programs.

This bill prohibits municipalities across the state from imposing any ordinances that prohibit, tax, or place fees on the sale, use, or disposition of plastic straws, bags, containers, bottles, and other packaging. As a result, the bill would preempt local bans on plastic straws and containers. Support is the Limited Government Position as this bill protects against mandates that infringe on business and consumer choice for food packaging and unnecessarily drive-up costs. While some may argue this bill undermines "local control", our founding fathers only recognized three entities within the U.S. Constitution - federal government, state government, and the individual. It is not the role for any level of government to unduly infringe the rights of individuals, therefore making preemption measures, such as this bill, necessary.

Mike Thompson

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