(March 11, 2025) – Today, the House Committee of the Whole debated, and gave initial approval to House Sub for Senate Bill 126. The legislation includes the ability to increase the provider assessment of up to 6 percent, and the inclusion of additional hospitals as determined by the Healthcare Access Improvement Panel. The bill also includes updates to the Children's Health Insurance Program income eligibility requirements, the establishment of an advance universal newborn screening program and the increase of state financial assistance to local health departments. The House made no amendments and recommended the bill favorably before they will take a final vote.

The House also gave initial debate and approval to the following bills:

• Senate Bill 82 concerns the rural emergency hospitals to be granted a physical environment waiver for skilled nursing facility care. The House made no amendments.

• Senate Bill 88 requires the state long-term care ombudsman and any regional ombudsman to receive training in memory care. The House made no amendments.

• Senate Bill 175 updates the definition of athletic trainer. The House made no amendments.

• Senate Bill 193 exempts law enforcement agencies that do not provide emergency opioid antagonist pursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director. The House made no amendments.

• House Bill 2217 expands the power of the Medicaid inspector general to investigate and audit all state cash, food and health assistance programs. The House made no amendments.

These bills will receive a final vote tomorrow.

The House also took final action votes on the following:

• Senate Bill 105 relates to the filling of vacancies to require the person be from the same political party as the incumbent, and requires legislative nomination of three persons for consideration of appointment. The bill passed on a vote of 87-36.

• Senate Bill 14 provides for a continuous budget until amended, lapsed or eliminated by the legislature in certain circumstances. The bill passed on a vote of 82-41.

• House Bill 2400 includes trail rides as a ranching activity to qualify as agritourism activity. The bill passed on a vote of 110-13.

• Sub for HB 2152 concerns financial investments from government units. The bill passed on a vote of 119-4.

• House Bill 2111 relates to the Kansas Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. The bill passed on a vote of 115-8.