Capitol Comments Articles
Committees Begin Meeting Ahead of the State of the State Address

State House 2 (Jan. 10, 2024) – Today, for the first time during the 2024 session, many committees began meeting following the delay from weather concerns.

Meetings were largely introductory and informational in nature. The following committees met today:

  • House Legislative Modernization Committee received an update on state cyber security needs
  • K-12 Education Budget reviewed an estimate on the cost of K-12 education and reviewed legislative post audits
  • Senate Assessment and Taxation received an overview of the local Ad Valorem Tax Reduction Fund
  • Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee received an overview of Kansas Credit Unions
  • Senate Federal and State Affairs had an informational briefing on elections from Secretary of State Scott Schwab

The Senate Judiciary, chaired by Senator Kellie Warren (R-Leawood), heard from Commissioner Drew Atkins at Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services. Atkins gave an overview of Kansas Assisted Outpatient Treatment and Outpatient Treatment Order programs. He reported the AOT program, which began in March 2022, currently has 98 participants total and reduced hospitalizations at state hospitals by 73 percent and the length of those hospitalizations by 43 percent. Counties currently receiving AOT state program funding include Douglas, Ford, Cowley, Ellis, Riley and Sumner. Additionally, Wyandotte, Johnson and Sedgwick have AOT programs funded solely by the counties. He asked the committee for legislative changes outlined in House Bill 2353 for OTO. The chair emphasized this program is an example of how our courts are helping with these issues in communities.

Committee members asked for clarification on if these impacts are helping Kansas hospitals or just state hospitals, as well as additional data on savings for hospitals.

The full House and Senate will meet throughout the day for an update on the State of the Judiciary. Governor Laura Kelly will give her State of the State Address slated to air at 6:30 p.m. You can view it online at https://youtu.be/c87Jnm7WGLk.