Capitol Comments Articles

(Nov. 24, 2021) – Yesterday afternoon, Governor Laura Kelly signed the final version of House Bill 2001 as amended. The legislation passed the House and Senate as amended during a one-day special legislative session ending just before midnight on Nov. 22.
(Nov. 23, 2021) – Yesterday, the Kansas Legislature, for the first time in state history, petitioned Governor Laura Kelly by acquiring the two-thirds majority needed, to call themselves into a special legislative session to deal with COVID-19 federal mandates.
(Nov. 23, 2021) – With the state legislation now being enrolled and likely to become effective in the next 10 days, the Kansas Hospital Association staff is analyzing the impacts to provide guidance and resources to KHA members.
(Nov. 23, 2021) – Bill Clifford, who previously ran for Congress and has served as a Finney County Commissioner, was sworn in to fulfill duties and participate during the Special Session.
(Nov. 16, 2021) – Yesterday, the Joint Committee of Rules and Regulations, chaired by Representative Barbara Wasinger (R-Hays), met to discuss Rules and Regulations changes.
(Nov. 16, 2021) – The Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Executive Committee met today to hear proposals from the Kansas City area for federal expenditures coming into the state.
(Nov. 16, 2021) – Yesterday, the Telehealth Subcommittee of the Broader Mental Health and Modernization met to hear updates on telehealth usage during the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Nov. 16, 2021) – Today, the Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee, chaired by Marvin Kleeb, met to hear an update on recent statutory changes contained in House Substitute for Senate Bill 78 and impacts to the Health Care Stabilization Fund.
(Nov. 9, 2021) – Today, the Special Committee received an update on federal action from the Office of Revisor staff regarding the OSHA and CMS interim final rules
(Nov. 12, 2021) – This week, the legislature reached two-thirds of both the House and Senate members that signed the petition to call for a special legislative session.
(Nov. 12, 2021) – The Special Committee on Government Overreach and COVID-19 Mandates discussed two bills: Rs2356 and Rs2357. The committee heard from proponents, opponents and neutral conferees.
(Nov. 9, 2021) – A reminder that the Kansas Hospital Association has begun our annual legislative dinners throughout the state.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – On Tuesday, the Kansas State Supreme Court held a hearing on Senate Bill 40.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – Republican state lawmaker Russ Jennings from Lakin passed away this week after revealing a cancer diagnosis earlier this year.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – Today, the full Special Committee on Kansas Mental Health Modernization and Reform met.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – This week, the Legislative Coordinating Council voted to appoint Douglas Gleason, MD, to the Health Care Stabilization Fund Oversight Committee, which provides liability coverage for health care providers in the state.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – The 2021 Redistricting Advisory Group has set the next round of virtual listening tour discussions.
(Oct. 28, 2021) – There are many interim committee meetings in the weeks ahead, including the Special Committee on Government Overreach and Impact of COVID-19 Mandates, that will meet on Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30.
(Oct. 22, 2021) – This week, a special state legislative interim met to discuss the federal 340B Drug Program.
(Oct. 22, 2021) – The Mental Health Modernization Committee has broken into subcommittees, and the telehealth subcommittee met this week to talk about issues critical to telehealth.
(Oct. 22, 2021) – Included in this article is a list of upcoming interim committees slated to meet through October and November.
(Oct. 8, 2021) – This week, the SPARK Executive Committee met to establish four advisory panels.
(Oct. 8, 2021) – This article includes a list of upcoming interim committees slated to meet through October.
(Sept. 23, 2021) – Today, the Legislative Coordinating Council, made up of legislative leadership established a special committee to review government actions related to COVID-19 mandates and the recent federal vaccine requirement.
(Sept. 23, 2021) – Today, the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community-Based Services and KanCare Oversight met for day two of the committee hearings.
(Sept. 23, 2021) – KHA reminds eligible hospitals your letter of intent is due to the Office of Recovery by 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24. If your hospital has an interest in participating in the recent SPARK-funded retention program, you are encouraged to submit your letter of intent as soon as possible.
(Sept. 22, 2021) – Today, the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community-Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee met for the first of a two-day meeting.
(Sept. 22, 2021) – This week, the State Office of Recovery released information about the next steps for qualifying hospitals having an interest in applying for the recently allocated SPARK Frontline Retention Funds.
(Sept. 22, 2021) – This article includes a list of upcoming interim committees slated to meet through the end of next week.
(Sept. 16, 2021) – The Legislative Coordinating Council met yesterday to discuss items such as legislative technology request for proposals, office changes inside the capitol building, additional interim committee dates, and other outstanding legislative items
(Sept. 16, 2021) – This article includes a list of upcoming interim committees slated to meet in the coming weeks.
(Sept. 10, 2021) – This afternoon the SPARK Executive Committee met to discuss further the proposal to get funds to front-line health care workers.
(Sept. 9, 2021) – The SPARK Executive Committee met yesterday to discuss the parameters of the $50 million set aside to retain front-line health care workers.
(Sept. 9, 2021) – Representative Heather Meyer was sworn in this week.
(Sept. 7, 2021) - On Friday, the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Executive Committee met to hear a proposal to address hospital staffing concerns.
(Sept. 7, 2021) – Several interim committees will meet this week.
(Sept. 7, 2021) – The State Finance Council met on Friday afternoon to approve the motions made during the earlier SPARK Executive Committee discussion
(Aug. 31, 2021) – Today, the Legislative Budget Committee received an update on state general fund receipts, which indicate anticipated ending balances of $1.3 billion for fiscal year 2022 and an estimated $540 million for fiscal year 2023.
(Aug. 30, 2021) – The committee reviewed information on STAR Bond Projects, the State unemployment system, Center for Tech and Civic Life Grants, Butler County Community College Council Grove Site and Kansas Bureau of Investigation Fingerprinting System.
(Aug. 30, 2021) – Today, it was announced that former Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer will not continue his campaign for Kansas Governor as he will seek prostate cancer treatment.
(Aug. 30, 2021) – Other upcoming interim committees slated to meet this week include the Joint Legislative Budget Committee and Special Committee on Liquor Law Modernization.
(Aug. 9, 2021) – A recent decision from a Johnson County Court called into question the constitutionality of the Kansas Emergency Management Law updates made during the 2021 session in Senate Bill 40.
(Aug. 9, 2021) – Cyndi Howerton has been chosen as the replacement for Representative Ron Howard of Wichita's 98th House District, who passed away last month.
(Aug. 9, 2021) – The Legislative Coordinating Council met last week to approve the suggested members of the 340B Interim Committee.
(Aug. 9, 2021) – This week, Kansas legislators serving on the state redistricting committee will begin a statewide tour hosting town halls across Kansas to receive public comments concerning the redistricting process.
(July 9, 2021) – Today, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Regulations met to discuss agency regulatory changes being proposed by Kansas agencies.
(July 9, 2021) – This week, precinct committee leaders in Overland Park House District 48 chose Dan Osman, an Overland Park legal consultant, to replace outgoing Representative Jennifer Day.
(July 9, 2021) – This week, the Redistricting Advisory Group, comprised of legislative leadership, met to approve the first steps in the redistricting process.
(June 28, 2021) - Several interim committees are slated to meet this week.
(June 28, 2021) - On June 17, local precinct committee members met to elect Chuck Schmidt to replace Representative Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita).
(June 28, 2021) - The Kansas State Finance Council, made up of Governor Laura Kelly and legislative leadership, met last week to approve the first express toll lane in Kansas.
(June 28, 2021) - Last week, the new make-up of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Executive Committee met to review available funds coming to Kansas.
(June 28, 2021) - The newly created Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council began meeting last week.
(June 28, 2021) - Last week, the Kansas Senate announced the membership of the chamber's Redistricting Committee.
State Emergency Disaster Declaration Will Be Allowed to Expire Today
(May 28, 2021) – Today, the Legislative Coordinating Council, made up of legislative leadership, met to discuss the extension of the current state disaster declaration.
(May 26, 2021) – Today, the Legislative Coordinating Council, made up of legislative leadership, met to discuss outstanding items.
(May 26, 2021) – Representative Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita) announced today she is not returning to the Kansas Legislature in January.
(May 26, 2021) – Today, the Kansas Senate took up Senate Bill 29, which provides extensions for short-term, limited-duration health plans from 12 months to 36 months. The legislation, previously vetoed by Governor Laura Kelly, passed the Senate today on a vote of 28-11.
(May 26, 2021) – Today, the state House and Senate passed Senate Concurrent Resolution 1616. The resolution encourages the governor to end federal pandemic unemployment compensation in support of Kansas businesses.
(May 26, 2021) – Today, the Kansas Senate voted to replace the majority leader in the body.
(May 21, 2021) – Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the contents of Senate Bill 29.
(May 21, 2021) – The Kansas Legislature returns on May 26 for Sine Die.
(May 21, 2021) – Since the Legislature adjourned on May 7, a few legislative departures have been announced.
(May 17, 2021) – Every year, the Kansas Hospital Association provides the KHA Legislative Summary Report to keep you updated on the issues discussed during the legislative process.
(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.