Capitol Comments Articles

(May 7, 2021) – The House and Senate Budget Conference Committee conferees completed work on outstanding budget items late last night contained in Substitute for Senate Bill 159.
(May 7, 2021) – Today, ahead of adjourning for the 2021 session, the Conference Committee Report on Senate Bill 78 passed both the House and the Senate.
(May 6, 2021) – Medical marijuana provisions contained in House Substitute for Senate Bill 158 were debated in the Kansas House today. House Bill 2056, which regulates the sale and distribution of kratom products as a part of and supplemental to the Kansas Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act also was discussed.
(May 6, 2021) – Today, the House Appropriations Committee and Senate Ways and Means Conference Committee members began working through the more than 40 final budget adjustments that differ between the House and Senate positions.
(May 5, 2021) – Today, the House Appropriations Committee met to work through outstanding items.
(May 5, 2021) – The Conference Committees who met ahead of the legislative break and during this veto session have assembled several conference committee reports that began circulating through the legislative chambers today.
(May 5, 2021) – During the House and Senate Judiciary Conference Committee, members have discussed the possibility of prohibition of the use of vaccine passports in general public places. The committee has discussed the possibility of adding language to the conference committee report on Senate Bill 58.
(May 4, 2021) – The Kansas House and Senate discussed vetoes made by Governor Laura Kelly since the Legislature adjourned in April.
(May 4, 2021) – Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 286.
(May 4, 2021) – Today, the House Federal and State Affairs Committee discussed House Substitute for Senate Bill 158.
(April 28, 2021) – This week, both the Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Appropriations Committees met to begin to assemble omnibus legislation.
(April 28, 2021) – Following the legislative adjournment on April 2, the legislation passed by the body has been making it's way to Governor Lara Kelly's desk.
(April 28, 2021) – The Legislature passed Senate Substitute for House Bill 2196.
(April 23, 2021) – This week, Governor Laura Kelly signed into law several pieces of legislation including House Bill 2208. This legislation contains the Rural Emergency Hospital designation provisions introduced by KHA.
(April 23, 2021) – This week, the Bob Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee met to receive presentations on KanCare from individuals, providers, organizations and agencies.
(April 23, 2021) – Governor Laura Kelly also signed Senate Bill 86, House Bill 2066 and House Bill 2114.
(April 23, 2021) – This week, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group met to revise Nov. 6, 2020, estimates for fiscal years 2021 and 2022.
(April 9, 2021) – Today, the state budget, contained in House Bill 2007 Conference Committee Report, was passed by both the House and Senate.
(April 9, 2021) – Senate Bill 86 creates a new three-year loan program providing incentives for the making of loans to eligible borrowers for the winter weather event of February 2021.
(April 9, 2021) – As the Senate and House worked their way through conference committee reports, several health-related bills passed legislative chambers as they make their way to Governor Laura Kelly's desk.
(April 8, 2021) – Today, the House and Senate Conference Committee Conferees agreed to insert the Kansas Hospital Association-sponsored legislation to establish a rural emergency hospital designation.
(April 8, 2021) – Today, the House and Senate Conference Committee Conferees from the Insurance Committees met and agreed to the language from House Bill 2380, as amended.
(April 8, 2021) – Yesterday, the Kansas Senate discussed several bills on General Orders yesterday, among those was House Bill 2224.
(April 8, 2021) – Late last night, members of the House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means conference committees reached an agreement on a budget bill to be discussed by the House and Senate before the first adjournment deadline on April 9.
(April 8, 2021) – Today, conferees from the Senate Financial Institutions, Insurance Committee, House Financial Institutions and Rural Development met to discuss bills in conference.
(April 6, 2021) – Today, the House and Senate returned after the holiday weekend to hold conference committees and assembling conference committee reports being voted on chamber floors this week.
(April 6, 2021) – Today, conferees of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committee met to work through the differences in the House and Senate budget proposals. The final bill will go into House Bill 2007.
(April 6, 2021) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently allotted $42.3 million in funding for Distance Learning and Telemedicine grants.
(April 1, 2021) –Today, Governor Laura Kelly re-issued outstanding executive orders that expired yesterday.
(April 2, 2021) – The Kansas Legislature returns on Tuesday, April 6, and begins working through the conference committee reports and the bills above the line in each chamber. They will complete their work ahead of the first adjournment deadline of April 9, when the Legislature goes on recess until the veto session on May 3.
(March 31, 2021) – Today, the Senate concurred with Senate Bill 283.
(March 31, 2021) – After several days of hearings and amendments, the Kansas Senate today passed Senate Substitute for Substitute for House Bill 2196 on a vote of 40-0.
(March 31, 2021) – The Kansas Senate completed work on several pieces of legislation today.
(March 30, 2021) – The Kansas House of Representatives debated the state budget today, Substitute for House Bill 2397.
(March 30, 2021) – The House passed House Bill 2380 on a vote of 104-20.
(March 30, 2021) – The House passed Senate Bill 283 on a vote of 96-28.
(March 29, 2021) –The Kansas Senate discussed Senate Bill 290, the bill concerns the Healthcare Stabilization Fund; relating to minimum professional liability insurance coverage requirements.
(March 29, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House discussed Senate Bill 283 and gave preliminary approval to House Bill 2412.
(March 29, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held confirmation hearings on Steven Anderson, Medicaid inspector general and the re-appointment of Mark Uhlig, member University of Kansas Hospital Authority.
(March 26, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings on pharmacy-related bills.
(March 26, 2021) – Legislative committees will meet Monday and Tuesday in the Senate, while most committees have completed their work for the session in the House. Both chambers will spend additional time next week on their chamber floors all day working through bills.
(March 25, 2021) – Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 40 extending the existing emergency orders through May 28, 2021, but revoking all executive orders as of March 31.
(March 25, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House passed Senate Bill 175 as amended on a vote of 119-3.
(March 25, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee worked and took action on several bills.
(March 25, 2021) – Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee worked Senate Bill 283.
(March 24, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House debated Senate Bill 175 and Senate Bill 238.
(March 24, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena), held hearings on two bills: House Bill 2209 and House Bill 2279.
(March 24, 2021) – Senate Bill 304 and House Bill 2449
(March 23, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings on House Bill 2114 and House Bill 2151.
(March 23, 2021) – Senate Bill 303
(March 22, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 212, prohibiting the secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from permanently requiring additional immunizations to attend a child care facility or school.
(March 22, 2021) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance held a hearing on Senate Bill 290.
(March 19, 2021) – Yesterday, the House Appropriations Committee worked into the evening to finalize the budget bill contained in House Bill 2397.
(March 19, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing and worked House Bill 2208.
(March 19, 2021) – Next week will be the last full week of committee work ahead of the March 31st deadline to consider non-exempt bills in either chamber.
(March 18, 2021) – House Bill 2441
(March 18, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena), worked three bills.
(March 18, 2021) – This week, the Kansas Senate voted 36-2 to pass as further amended House Bill 2066 dealing with licensure.
(March 18, 2021) – The Kansas House has been moving through legislation sent to them by the Senate.
(March 17, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed Senate Bill 295 out favorably.
(March 17, 2021) – Yesterday, the Kansas Senate debated Substitute for Senate Bill 267, dealing with the state budget and making appropriations for the next two years.
(March 17, 2021) –Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee held a roundtable discussion regarding telemedicine and issues of payment equity for providers.
(March 17, 2021) – The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Kellie Warren (R-Leawood), met today and recommended favorably for passage House Bill 2126.
(March 17, 2021) – House Bill 2436
(March 16, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), met today on House Bill 2174, which creates a rural hospital innovation grant program.
(March 16, 2021) – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on several bills, including House Bill 2126.
(March 16, 2021) – Late yesterday, a conference committee made up of Senate and House Judiciary Committee members agreed on a Conference Committee Report related to the Kansas Emergency Management Act.
(March 16, 2021) – House Bill 2434, House Bill 2435 and House Concurrent Resolution 2017
(March 16, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2062 and Senate Bill 295.
(March 15, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee received an update on COVID-19 vaccination phases from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD.
(March 15, 2021) – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee began a week of hearings related to Substitute for House Bill 2196, which passed the House early in March on a vote of 87-36.
(March 15, 2021) – Today, House Health and Human Services Committee amended and passed two bills.
(March 12, 2021) – Senate Bill 13, as amended by the House, was taken up by the Senate this week, with a motion to concur on the House changes and sent to the governor for signature.
(March 12, 2021) – A conference committee consisting of House and Senate Judiciary members is discussing the Kansas Emergency Management Act, ahead of the March 31 deadline when existing protections outlined in previously passed Senate Bill 14 and House Bill 2016 expire.
(March 12, 2021) – Next week, committees in both the House and Senate will work their way through bills they've received from the other chamber as they approach upcoming legislative deadlines. While the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed the state budget bill out of committee, the House is anticipated to complete their work on the state budget next week. Meanwhile, conference committees are beginning to work on the differences between the House and Senate provisions in legislation.
(March 12, 2021) – Senate Bill 290, Senate Bill 291, Senate Bill 295 and House Bill 2431
(March 11, 2021) – House Health and Human Services Committee heard Senate Bill 77, enacting the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact.
(March 11, 2021) – Today, both the Senate Utilities and the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications committees met to hear from Chuck Caisley, senior vice president, Evergy, to discuss the recent extreme winter weather events.
(March 11, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee received an update on the outstanding Home and Community-Based Services waiting list.
(March 11, 2021) – Today, the Senate Federal and State Affairs committee, chaired by Senator Larry Alley (R-Winfield), held a hearing on House Bill 2066.
(March 11, 2021) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee continued discussions on the state budget.
(March 10, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare held a hearing on House Bill 2254 and House Bill 2262, as well as sponsored a bill introduced to allow counties to depart from the state's timeline for administering COVID-19 vaccinations.
(March 10, 2021) – Today, the House Insurance and Pension Committee met to hear an update on the pharmacy supply chain.
(March 10, 2021) – Senate Bill 289 and House Bill 2430
(March 8, 2021) – Each year, the Kansas Hospital Association provides the KHA Legislative Turnaround Report to keep you updated on the issues as they make their way through the legislative process.
(March 5, 2021) – The Kansas Legislature will have a new Senator in the 38th Senate District.
(March 5, 2021) – Yesterday, the Kansas House amended and passed Senate Bill 13, establishing notice and public hearing requirements prior to approval by a governing body to exceed its revenue-neutral rate for property tax purposes, discontinuing the current city/county property tax lid.
(March 5, 2021) – The Kansas House and Senate will take two days away from the statehouse next week following the Turnaround deadline or unofficial half-time to the 2021 legislative session. The House and Senate will return Wednesday to spend the next few weeks working through bills from the opposite chamber ahead of their next recess in April.
(March 5, 2021) – Senate Bill 284, Senate Bill 287 and House Bill 2428
(March 4, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House passed several important pieces of legislation.
(March 4, 2021) – This week, the Kansas Legislature in both the House and Senate passed House Substitute for Senate Bill 88.
(March 4, 2021) – The Legislative Spotlight is designed to introduce you to legislators serving in the statehouse. Our first guest is Senator Kristen O'Shea from Topeka.
(March 3, 2021) – Yesterday, the Kansas Senate passed Senate Bill 175 on a vote of 39-0. The legislation, brought before the Legislature by the Kansas Hospital Association, creates a rural emergency hospital designation to mirror the recently created federal label.
(March 3, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House debated and gave preliminary approval to several health-related bills.
(March 3, 2021) – The Senate worked bills today for the last day ahead of the turnaround deadline. They will be back next Wednesday.
(March 3, 2021) – Today, the Kansas Senate debated Senate Bill 283, which extends COVID-19 liability for the business community.
(March 1, 2021) – The Senate passed their version of updates to the Kansas Emergency Management Act.
(March 1, 2021) – Today, the Kansas Senate took up Senate Bill 175, the bill supported by KHA, enacting the Rural Emergency Hospital Act and creating a category of licensure to enable certain Kansas hospitals to receive federal health care reimbursement as a Rural Emergency Hospital.
(Feb. 26, 2021) – Yesterday, House Judiciary Committee passed out of committee a revised version of House Bill 2126, a bill dealing with COVID-19 response and business liability protections for adult care facilities.
(Feb. 26, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met today to work Senate bills ahead of the turnaround deadline next week.
(Feb. 26, 2021) – This week, the House and Senate Judiciary Committees began hearings on the Kansas Emergency Management Structure.
(Feb. 26, 2021) – Regularly scheduled committee meetings are very limited next week, as both the House and Senate focus on bills in both chambers.
(Feb. 26, 2021) – The House Federal and State Affairs Committee, chaired by Representative John Barker (R-Abilene), met today and passed out House Bill 2340, a revised version of the previously introduced Tobacco 21 legislation.
(Feb. 25, 2021) – Senate Bill 213 prohibits an employer from taking any adverse action against an employee because of the employee's vaccination status.
(Feb. 25, 2021) – Senate Bill expands the pharmacist's scope of practice to include point-of-care testing for and treatment of certain health conditions.
(Feb. 24, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee amended Senate Bill 175.
(Feb. 24, 2021) – Today, the Kansas House passed House Bill 2237 on a vote of 107-16.
(Feb. 24, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services worked House Bill 2280, House Bill 2281 and House Bill 2373.
(Feb. 24, 2021) – The House Appropriations Committee met today to hear subcommittee recommendations related to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment's – Health budget.
(Feb. 24, 2021) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee, chaired by Representative Fred Patton (R-Topeka) met for a hearing on House Bill 2416 dealing with the Kansas Emergency Management Act.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Today, Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held hearings on two bills: Senate Bill 170 and Senate Bill 138.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Yesterday, the House Insurance and Pensions Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2380.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Yesterday, the House Social Services Budget Committee, chaired by Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), received an update from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Today, the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2381.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Today, the House Appropriations Committee heard from the secretary, Kansas Department for Children and Families, regarding behavioral health initiatives.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Senate Commerce Committee, chaired by Senator Rob Olson (R-Olathe), held a hearing today on Senate Bill 137.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services committee worked and recommended favorably for passage several bills before them.
(Feb. 23, 2021) – Senate Bill 268, Senate Bill 273, Senate Bill 274, Senate Bill 275 and House Bill 2416
(Feb. 22, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee held hearings on several bills.
(Feb. 19, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 175 – establishing the Rural Emergency Hospital licensure designation.
(Feb. 22, 2021) – Senate Bill 264, Senate Bill 267 and House Bill 2412
(Feb. 22, 2021) – House Bill 2340 increases the minimum age to 21 to purchase or possess cigarettes and tobacco products.
Today, the Bob Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services, met to hear a KanCare update. The discussion included: several stakeholders describing areas needing additional investments; wait-list issues, helpful policy proposals currently before the Legislature; and vaccination challenges in several industries. The following conferees gave testimony before the committee:
(Feb. 19, 2021) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee met to hear several budget reports.
(Feb. 18, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee met today to hear House Bill 2280 – updating statutes relating to the powers, duties and functions of the Kansas Board of Pharmacy.
(Feb. 19, 2021) – Next week will be a flurry of committee work in both the house and senate as those committees work bills ahead of their last day to meet (Feb. 26) before the upcoming turnaround deadline where non-exempt bills must be passed by the chamber of origin. That turnaround deadline is set for March 5.
(Feb. 18, 2021) – Today's legislative action included the Kansas House of Representatives passing the following bills: House Bill 2151, House Bill 2114, House Bill 2124, and House Bill 2158.
(Feb. 18, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena), held a hearing on Senate Bill 174
(Feb. 17, 2021) – The House Financial Institutions and Rural Development Committee met today to discuss House Bill 2237, House Bill 2236 and House Bill 2268.
(March 1, 2021) – This briefing provides participants with an overview of the House Appropriations process, recommendations made to the state budget from the chair of the House Social Services Budget Committee, and an update on other state and federal issues.
(Feb. 17, 2021) – Today, the House Social Services Budget Committee met to work the KDHE Department of Health budget, including the language requested by KHA regarding the provider assessment language to keep providers whole until CMS approval is granted.
(Feb. 17, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 129.
(Feb. 17, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2256, which amends the Nurse Practice Act to allow APRNs to practice without a collaborative agreement with a physician.
(Feb. 17, 2021) – House Bill 2393, House Bill 2396, House Bill 2397, Senate Bill 248, Senate Bill 251 and Senate Bill 259.
(Feb. 16, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2261 – the rural emergency hospital licensing designation bill.
(Feb. 16, 2021) – The chairman of the House Social Services Budget Committee, Representative Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), appeared before the full House Appropriations Committee today to discuss the work done on budgets to date.
(Feb. 16, 2021) – House Bill 2380, House Bill 2382, House Bill 2383, House Bill 2384, House Bill 2385, House Bill 2388, Senate Bill 237, Senate Bill 238, Senate Bill 240 and Senate Bill 244.
(Feb. 15, 2021) Senate Bill 13 passed out of the House Taxation Committee with a few amendments.
(Feb. 15, 2021) The Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services met to discuss the KDHE budget.
(Feb. 15, 2021) The House Financial Institutions and Rural Development committee held a hearing extending the Rural Opportunity Zone Program in Kansas.
(Feb. 12, 2021) – The full appropriations committee met today to hear about the budget sub-committee recommendations for state hospitals.
(Feb. 12, 2021) – Next week, the budget sub-committee reports will continue to be discussed by the full House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means committees. The House and Senate will work through bills coming out of committees ahead of the next upcoming deadline on Feb. 26, when committees will meet for the last day ahead of the March 5 turnaround deadlines. Many committee chairs are making last-minute adjustments to agendas to accommodate potential weather delays early next week.
(Feb. 12, 2021) – House Bill 2372, House Bill 2373, House Bill 2380, House Bill 2382, House Bill 2383, House Bill 2385, House Bill 2386, House Bill 2388, and Senate Bill 227.
(Feb. 11, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Hilderbrand, held a confirmation hearing on Kevin Lockett for the University of Kansas Hospital Authority.
(Feb. 11, 2021) – Yesterday, the House Social Services Budget Committee took action on the Kansas Board of Pharmacy budget.
(Feb. 11, 2021) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee received an update from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD.
(Feb. 11, 2021) – The House worked several house bills on final action today. Among those was Senate Bill 15, enacting the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit program.
(Feb. 10, 2021) – House Bill 2174 establishes the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund and allows an eligible county to apply to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment for a rural hospital transitional assistance grant.
(Feb. 10, 2021) – Today, the House Financial Institutions and Rural Development held a hearing on House Bill 2158.
(Feb. 10, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena), held a confirmation hearing for David Dillon being re-appointed to the KU Hospital Authority Board.
(Feb. 10, 2021) – House Bill 2307, House Bill 2311, House Bill 2312, House Bill 2324, House Bill 2325, House Bill 2327, House Bill 2340, House Bill 2342, House Bill 2343
Senate Bill 189, Senate Bill 193, Senate Bill 199, Senate Bill 200, Senate Bill 203, Senate Bill 207, Senate Bill 211, Senate Bill 212, Senate Bill 213, Senate Bill 214, Senate Bill 216, and Senate Bill 217.

(Feb. 9, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2206, updating provisions in the Kansas Telemedicine Act.
(Feb. 9, 2021) – The House Appropriations Committee heard recommendations from the Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform Committee.
(Feb. 9, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare committee met today to confirm Camille Russell, the state long-term care Ombudsman.
(Feb. 9, 2021) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2153; increasing penalties for mistreatment of dependent adults or the elderly in adult care homes.
(Feb. 9, 2021) – KHA is excited to be launching our very own podcast.
(Feb. 9, 2021) – House Bill 2279, House Bill 2280, House Bill 2281 and House Bill 2288.
(Feb. 8, 2021) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee met to continue discussions on agency budgets.
(Feb. 8, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), met today to take up House Bill 2160, establishing certification and funding for certified community behavioral health clinics.
(Feb. 8, 2021) – House Bill 2256, House Bill 2257, House Bill 2258, House Bill 2260,
House Bill 2261, Senate Bill 154, Senate Bill 155, Senate Bill 168, Senate Bill 174, Senate Bill 175
(Feb. 5, 2021) – The House Social Service Budget Committee, chaired by Representative Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), met this week to discuss state budgets, including the State Hospitals at Larned and Osawatomie.
(Feb. 5, 2021) – This week, the Kansas Senate passed Senate Resolution 1707 on a vote of 28-8.
(Feb. 5, 2021) – Committees and sub-committees continue budget reviews. Committees not exempt from legislative deadlines will no longer be able to introduce bills after the Friday, Feb. 12 deadline.
(Feb. 5, 2021) – House Bill 2248, House Bill 2249, House Bill 2250 and House Bill 2253
(Feb. 4, 2021) – KHA Testifies in Support for Long-Term Care Liability Protections Bill Before House Judiciary
(Feb. 4, 2021) – House Bill 2195 holds employers harmless for fraudulent unemployment insurance claims and reimburses the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund with money from the State General Fund for improper benefit payments.
(Feb. 4, 2021) – House Bill 2160 requires KDHE to establish and implement by July 1, 2021, a prospective payment system for funding certified community behavioral health clinics.
(Feb. 4, 2021) – House Bill 2234, House Bill 2237, House Bill 2241, and Senate Bill 140
(Feb. 3, 2021) – House Bill 2157 establishes restrictions on the use of step therapy protocols for prescription medication.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – The Senate Judiciary chaired by Senator Kellie Warren (R-Leawood) met today and heard Senate Bill 56.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – Senate Bill 83 allows certain exceptions to the confidentiality of state child death review board documents. Senate Bill 85 requires notification to the governor and Legislature of missing foster care youth.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee met yesterday for bill introductions.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee met today to discuss Senate Bill 48.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – The Senate Ways and Means Committee met today to hear an update on the Program for All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly.
(Feb. 3, 2021) – House Bill 2202, House Bill 2206, ​House Bill 2208, ​House Bill 2209, House Bill 2210, House Bill 2218, Senate Bill 128, Senate Bill 129, Senate Bill 137, Senate Bill 138 and Senate Resolution 1707
(Feb. 5, 2021) – During this webinar, Representative Fred Patton discusses the 2021 Legislature's progress on the extension of the COVID-19 response legislation.
(Feb. 1, 2021) – The House Committee on Children and Seniors met today to hear from KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD, regarding COVID-19 response and the vaccine rollout.
(Feb. 1, 2021) – Today, Governor Laura Kelly announced a renewed effort to expand the Medicaid program in Kansas.
(Feb. 1, 2021) – The House Committee on Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development met this afternoon to take action on House Bill 2066.
(Feb. 1, 2021) – House Bill 2184
(Jan. 29, 2021) – The Kansas Senate voted 28-11 this week to approve a constitutional amendment amending the Bill of Rights of the State Constitution to reserve to the people the right to regulate abortion through the state Legislature.
(Jan. 29, 2021) – Legislative committees will continue to work their way through legislation as budget reviews begin for state agencies next week. This will be the last full week for the non-exempt committees to request bill draft introductions ahead of the Feb. 8 deadline.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee met to hear an update on the 340B program.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – The House Children and Seniors Committee met this afternoon for a hearing on House Bill 2004.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – Today, the House Appropriations introduced House Bill 2174; a bill establishing a rural hospital innovation grant program.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – Today, on the Kansas House floor, the Kansas House of Representatives adopted House Concurrent Resolution 5005 sponsored by House Speaker Ron Ryckman (R-Olathe), honoring COVID-19 frontline workers including the state's health care workers.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – Senate Bill 3 creates a drug abuse treatment program for people on diversion, allowing county and district attorneys to enter into agreements with chief judges and community corrections for supervision.
(Jan. 28, 2021) – Senate Bill 92, House Bill 2174 and House Bill 2179
(Jan. 27, 2021) – Today, at the request of the Kansas Hospital Association, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee agreed to introduce the rural emergency hospital bill.
(Jan. 27, 2021) – House Bill 2151, House Bill 2153, House Bill 2157 and House Bill 2160
(Jan. 27, 2021) – Following the signing of Senate Bill 14 earlier this week, Governor Laura Kelly issued EO 21-02, which extends many of the emergency orders and protections that expired at midnight on Jan. 26.
(Jan. 27, 2021) – Today, the Senate Commerce Committee held a hearing today on Senate Bill 10; enacting the Right to Earn a Living Act to minimize licensing and regulation.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee heard an update on the Special Committee on Mental Health and Modernization Report.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – Today, the House Children and Seniors Committee, chaired by Representative Susan Concannon (R-Beloit), heard from Melissa Johnson of the State Child Death Review Board regarding the data for the most recent Annual Report.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – The Senate Commerce Committee met today to receive an update regarding unemployment in Kansas.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – Today, the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 34; the bill sunsets administrative rules and regulations five years after adoption unless extended by the Legislature.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 14; the bill extends certain provisions of the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – The House Social Services Budget Committee met yesterday to review the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Division of Children and Families, and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services' programs.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 3.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, joined the House Health and Human Services Committee, to receive an update from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Lee Norman, MD, on the COVID-19 response in Kansas.
(Jan. 26, 2021) – Executive Reorganization Order 47 and Senate Bill 82
(Jan. 25, 2021) – Today, the House Financial Institutions and Rural Development Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2069.
(Jan. 25, 2021) – House Bill 2122, House Bill 2124, House Bill 2126 and House Bill 2129.
(Jan. 25, 2021) – The House Children and Seniors Committee received an update from Michelle Ponce, director for Association of Mental Health Centers of Kansas.
(Jan. 22, 2021) – The Kansas House passed House Concurrent Resolution 5003, amending the bill of rights of the state constitution to reserve to the people the right to regulate abortion through the state Legislature.
(Jan. 21, 2021) – The Senate Financial Institutions Committee heard Senate Bill 15, enacting the Kansas Economic Recovery Loan Deposit Program, updating the field of membership requirements for credit unions and allowing privilege-tax deductions on agricultural real estate loans and single-family residence loans.
(Jan. 22, 2021) – Next week, it is anticipated that committees will be continuing their work. At the same time, priority legislative items will likely be taken up for floor action in the House and Senate chambers.
(Jan. 22, 2021) – Senate Bill 41, Senate Bill 42, Senate Bill 48, Senate Bill 55, and House Bill 2114.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – The Kansas statehouse was under tighter security and encouraged legislators and lobbyists to participate remotely as much as possible.
(Jan. 21, 2021) –
(Jan. 21, 2021) – House Bill 2095, House Bill 2108 and House Bill 2110
(Jan. 21, 2021) – Today, the Senate Local Government Committee heard from Dr. DeAngela Burns-Wallace, secretary of the Kansas Department of Administration, on CARES Act spending across the state.
(Jan. 21, 2021) – Today, on a vote of 119-3, the Kansas House passed Senate Bill 14 concerning the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas.
(Jan. 21, 2021) – The Kansas Senate took up Senate Concurrent Resolution 1602, amending the Bill of Rights of the State Constitution in Kansas to reserve to the people the right to regulate abortion through the state Legislature.
(Jan. 21, 2021) – A briefing on 2020 Legislative Post Audit Reports was presented by Justin Stowe, director of Post Audit.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – Today, the House Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill 14.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – With the upcoming expiration of House Bill 2016 and the loss of a workday this week, the House sped up the legislative process and referred Senate Bill 14, the COVID-19 disaster response legislation, to the House for full action tomorrow, Jan. 21.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee continued their review of the recommendations around mental and behavioral health, which were a part of the interim Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – House Bill 2026 – Creating a drug abuse treatment program for people on diversion and allowing county and district attorneys to enter into agreements with chief judges and community corrections for supervision.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – The House Children and Seniors met today to hear about the state of mental health in Kansas.
(Jan. 20, 2021) – The House Insurance & Pensions Committee is scheduled to hold an informational hearing on House Bill 2073.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – The House Commerce Committee, chaired by Sean Tarwater (R-Stillwell), heard House Bill 2066.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – The House Health and Human Services Committee met today to receive an update on the 2020 Special Committee on Mental Health Modernization and Reform recommendations from Kansas Health Institute staff.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – Today, the Legislature returned to the statehouse with some changes to the scheduled activities and tightened security around the capitol following the insurrection in Washington D.C. last week.
(Jan. 15, 2021) – To assist Kansas Hospital Association members in their discussions with state legislators, KHA has prepared a handout addressing potential issues for the 2021 legislative session.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee attended a confirmation hearing on Amy Cline for a position on the Kansas Court of Appeals.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – During the first week of the legislative session, the governor's communications team has been working virtually following a positive COVID-19 case from staff.
(Jan. 19, 2021) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and the House Health and Human Services Committee convened virtually for an update from KDHE Secretary Lee Norman, MD.
(Jan. 19, 2021) –
(Jan. 14, 2021) – Senate Local Government Hears Updates on Rural and Urban Hospitals
(Jan. 15, 2021) – Next week, there will be more strict limited access to the capitol building in lieu of security concerns being monitored closely by state and federal authorities. With the legislature not meeting on Monday, hearings and floor work will continue on Tuesday throughout the week. KHA will be closely monitoring bills making their way quickly through the legislative process.

(Jan. 15, 2021) – House Bill 2073
(Jan. 14, 2021) – Today, the Senate Committee on Assessment and Taxation introduced a bill dealing with the Rural Opportunity Zones program extension, which is slated to sunset later this year.
(Jan. 14, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare listened to a presentation today from Scott Brunner with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
(Jan. 14, 2021) – In what is believed to be one of the fastest starts to session in recent years, today the Senate passed two bills that will now go to the House for further discussion.
(Jan. 14, 2021) – The House Judiciary Committee completed work and passed out of committee House Bill 2048.
(Jan. 14, 2021) – House Bill 2066
(Jan. 13, 2021) – During the State of the State address, Governor Laura Kelly recognized the unique times with her virtual delivery.
(Jan. 13, 2021) – The Senate Ways and Means Committee and the House Appropriations Committee heard a briefing on the governor's proposed budget for state fiscal years 2021 and 2021.
(Jan. 13, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare heard a presentation on nursing homes/adult care facilities and COVID-19.
(Jan. 13, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee discussed the COVID-19 Testing and Quarantine Process.
(Jan. 13, 2021) – The House Judiciary committee discussed House Bill 2048, extending certain provisions of the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas and providing certain relief related to health, welfare, property and economic security.
(Jan. 13, 2021) – House Bill 2051, House Bill 2052, House Bill 2053, House Bill 2054, House Bill 2055, House Bill 2056, House Bill 2057, House Bill 2058, House Bill 2059, House Bill 2060, House Bill 2061, House Bill 2062, House Bill 2063, House Bill 2064, House Bill 2065 and House Bill 6007.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Senate Assessment and Taxation held hearings today on Senate Bill 13.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Senate Bill 15, Senate Bill 16, Senate Bill 17, Senate Bill 18, Senate Bill 19, Senate Bill 20, Senate Bill 21, Senate Bill 22, Senate Cconcurrent Resolution 1602, House Bill 2048, House Bill 2049, House Bill 2050 and House Concurrent Resolution 5003
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Governor Laura Kelly's virtual State of the State address is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee met to discuss the vaccine distribution process.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Today, Senate Judiciary held a hearing on SB 14 regarding extending certain provisions of the governmental response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Kansas and providing certain relief related to health, welfare, property and economic security until March 31, 2021.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – The Senate Public Health and Welfare met today to facilitate committee introductions.
(Jan. 12, 2021) – Committees held hearings and prepared to work bills as early as Wednesday.
(Jan. 11, 2021) – Members of the House and Senate were sworn-in this afternoon in small groups as they took the oath of office with family members at their side.
(Jan. 11, 2021) – Governor Laura Kelly's virtual State of the State address is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Jan. 12.
(Jan. 11, 2021) – Committees hit the ground running this week with time-sensitive bills beginning as early as Tuesday.
(Jan. 11, 2021) – Governor Laura Kelly renewed efforts this week to merge the Department for Children and Families and Department for Aging and Disability Services to become the Department of Human Services.
(Jan. 11, 2021) – Senate Bill 7, Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 13, Senate Bill 14, House Bill 2004, House Bill 2024, House Bill 2030, House Bill 2033 and House Bill 2046.
(Jan. 13 , 2021) – KHA invites you to participate in the first of a series of advocacy briefings to review KHA's legislative priorities for the upcoming 2021 session.
(Jan. 8, 2021) – The Kansas Hospital Association is looking forward to providing testimony related to COVID-19 impacts, vaccine distribution and the extensions of HB 2016 provisions in the coming week as the committees hit the ground running during the 2021 session.
(Jan. 4, 2021) Governor Laura Kelly’s virtual State of the State address is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.
(Jan. 4, 2021) The 2021 legislative calendar has been released.
(Jan. 4, 2021) The Legislative Coordinating Council met last week to discuss with Legislative Administrative Services the 2021 legislative session plan.
(Jan. 4, 2021) House leadership has named the committee schedule and membership for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.
(Dec. 21, 2020) – The new Senate leadership announced the committee schedule and membership for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.
(Dec. 16, 2020) – The Joint Legislative Budget Committee, chaired by Sen. Carolyn McGinn (R-Sedgwick), met this week to cover a variety of topics in preparation for the 2021 session.
(Dec. 16, 2020) – The Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and Kancare Oversight committee met this week to discuss long-term care in the state.
(Dec. 16, 2020) – The House Committee on Health and Human Services met this week to hear from individuals and providers regarding a condition known as PANS/PANDAS that is associated with brain inflammation.
(Dec. 16, 2020) – The Attorney General released an advisory opinion regarding convening lawmakers during the 2021 legislative session after questions were raised about the constitutional need to meet in-person during COVID-19 pandemic, advisory opinion.
(Dec. 15, 2020) – Yesterday, Governor Kelly announced current Secretary of Commerce David Toland will serve in the dual role of secretary of commerce and lieutenant governor.
(Dec. 15, 2020) – The incoming Senate President Ty Masterson announced a new slate of committee chairs.
(Oct. 8, 2020) – The Legislative Budget Committee met this week to update the state's budget and COVID-19 activities.
(Dec. 8, 2020) – The Kansas Senate and House held leadership elections yesterday, ahead of the 2021 Kansas legislative session. While the Senate will see new leadership, the House will retain the top seats.
(Sept. 2, 2020) – The Legislative Post Audit Committee met this morning to review four audit reports.
(Aug. 28, 2020) – The Special Committee on the Kansas Emergency Management Act identify its successes, failures and make potential recommendations for improvement.
(Aug. 28, 2020) – This week, the Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform met to hear testimony from members of various behavioral health and substance abuse committees and task forces.
(Aug. 13, 2020) – The Special Committee on Economic Recovery met to hear from various sectors of the state on the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kansas.
(Aug. 3, 2020) – The Legislative Budget Committee, a joint committee of House and Senate members, met today.
(July 13, 2020) – KDHE has announced that Sarah Fertig was named as the state's Medicaid director, replacing Adam Proffitt, who left the agency in early June.
(June 23, 2020) – The Robert G (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight met early this week.
(June 19, 2020) – At the close of each session of the Kansas Legislature, the Kansas Hospital Association provides a summary of bills of interest to health care providers for our members.
(June 4, 2020) – The legislature began its work for the 2020 Special Session called by Governor Laura Kelly a day early.
(May 27, 2020) – Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the first piece of legislation from the last day of the 2020 legislative session this week and announced a special session on Wednesday, June 3.
(May 22, 2020) – The House and Senate convened at 8 a.m. yesterday morning to begin the final day of the 2020 legislative session and concluded at approximately the same time this morning.
(May 20, 2020) – The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to finalize and pass out several bills for floor action tomorrow.
(May 20, 2020) – The Senate Judiciary Committee passed out Senate Substitute for House Bill 2396.
(May 19, 2020) – The Senate Judiciary Committee convened yesterday to discuss COVID-19 liability concerns and possible legislation.
(May 19, 2020) – The House Judiciary Committee met yesterday afternoon to discuss questions that have arisen during the current state of emergency about the scope and interpretation of statutes that govern emergency declarations and the powers of the governor.
(May 19, 2020) – The Senate Judiciary Committee met today to continue discussions about COVID-19 issues.
(May 14, 2020) – The House Judiciary Committee led a virtual committee meeting to discuss potential legislation to provide liability protections to health care providers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(May 13, 2020) – Both House and Senate Committees began meeting this week in preparation for the final day of the 2020 session scheduled for May 21.
(May 13, 2020) – The House Appropriations Committee met this morning to discuss how the COVID-19 relief funding from the federal government is being distributed by the state.
(May 13, 2020) – The State Finance Council met this afternoon with the single objective of voting on the extension of the current disaster declaration.
(May 7, 2021) – The KHA Bill Tracker is designed to keep you up-to-date on current legislation. KHA updates and shares this document on a weekly basis while the legislators are in session.