(Feb. 18, 2025) – Today, the Kansas Senate debated a long list of bills that were before their chamber and will continue to work throughout tomorrow.
Sub for Senate Bill 67 authorizes registered nurse anesthetists to prescribe, procure and administer drugs consistent with the CRNA education and qualifications. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 82 requires the secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to grant physical environment waivers for certain rural emergency hospitals to provide skilled nursing facility care. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 126 enacts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact to provide interstate practice privileges for physician assistants. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 70 provides for fees for electronic copies of records under the Open Records Act. The bill was amended to include the Kansas Department of Veterans Affairs. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote as further amended.
Senate Bill 23 requires agents and insurers to respond to inquiries from the Insurance Commissioner within 14 calendar days. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 88 requires the state long-term care ombudsman and regional ombudsman to receive training in memory care. The Senate recommended the bill for final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 85 directs the secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families to review and compare data for Public Assistance Program eligibility. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 161 requires legislation approval prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a Public Assistance Program waiver from the federal government that expands eligibility for any Public Assistance Program or increases costs to the state. The Senate saw a motion by Senator Pat Pettey to add Medicaid expansion to the bill. The motion failed on a vote of 12-28. The Senate recommended the bill favorable for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 87 expands the student eligibility for the tax credit for the Low-Income Students Scholarship Program. The Senate amended the bill to strike the increase to the tax credit limit.
Senate Bill 50 establishes uniform interest rate provisions for service scholarship programs administered by the Kansas Board of Regents that have repayment obligations. The Senate amended the bill to strike the increase to the tax credit limit.
Senate Bill 44 expands the postsecondary educational institutions eligible to participate in the Kansas Promise Scholarship Program. The Senate did increase the $10 million to $15 million and recommended it favorably for a final vote as amended.
Sub. for Senate Bill 29 removes the authority of the county or joint board of health or local health officer to prohibit public gatherings when necessary for the control of infectious disease. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 71 increases the criminal penalties for buying sexual relations, removes provisions regarding city ordinances related to the act and requires certain offenders to complete an educational or treatment program. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 138 requires search warrants to be issued only on the statement of facts sufficient to show probable cause made by a law enforcement officer. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 30 requires the secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor to conduct a state and national criminal history record check on employees who have access to federal tax information received directly from the Internal Revenue Service. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 78 requires postsecondary educational institutions to regularly review and update accreditation policies, prohibits accrediting agencies from compelling such institutions to violate state law and provides a cause of action. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 64 adjusts certain Kansas Public Employees Retirement System statutory referencing, extends the time for filing administrative appeals. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 24 authorizes the insurance commissioner to set the amount of certain fees. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 2 validates the election results of a Greeley County USD 200 bond issues. The Senate recommended it favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 79 directs the secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families to request a waiver from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program rules that would allow the state to prohibit the purchase of candy and soft drinks with food assistance. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 260 amends the Kansas Parimutuel Racing Act regarding the qualification for an organization's license, and the definition of horsemen's associations. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 58 modifies the requirements and allocations for multi-year flex accounts. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 166 enacts the Fostering Competitive Career Opportunities Act to remove postsecondary degree requirements from state employment considerations. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 117 expands the property tax exemption for Strother Field Airport property. The Senate recommended the bill favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 98 provides for the Route 66 Association's distinctive Kansas license plate. The Senate recommended the bill favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 18 provides the Hunter Nation license plate. The Senate recommended favorably for a final vote without further floor amendments.
Senate Bill 20 reduces the number of board members appointed by the commissioner on the insurance-related boards. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 21 requires that third-party administrators maintain separate fiduciary accounts for individual payors and contain funds collected or held on behalf of multiple payers and requires that third-party administrators disclose to the commissioner of insurance any bankruptcy petition filed by or on behalf of such administrator pursuant to Chapter 9 or Chapter 11 of the U.S. bankruptcy code. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 22 requires title agents to make their audited reports available for inspection. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Sub for Senate Bill 45 requires the Kansas Board of Education to calculate graduation rates for all school districts for the purposes of accreditations using alternative calculations. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 128 creates an exception to certain mandatory reporting obligations for licensed social workers when working under the supervision of an attorney and permits an attorney to require a licensed social worker to keep ethical obligations of attorney-client privilege while working under the supervision of such attorney. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 222 prohibits deference to a state agency's interpretation of a statute, rule or regulation by a state court of officer hearing administrative action. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Sub. for Senate Bill 193 exempts law enforcement agencies that do not provide emergency opioid antagonists pursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 27 eliminates the requirement that the commissioner submit certain reports to the governor and removes certain specific entities from the definition of a person for the purpose of enforcing insurance law. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 53 provides that the attorney members of the board of trustees of a county law library be appointed by the chief judge of the judicial district. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 199 defines the fireworks sales season for seasonal retailers of consumer fireworks and provides for year-round sales by permanent retailers. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 52 enacts the Kansas Film and Digital Media Industry Production Development Act and tax credit. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 156 creates the crime of unlawful use of a laser pointer and provides criminal penalties. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 157 requires warrants issued for failure to appear to be provided to a compensated surety, changes the criteria for setting aside bond forfeiture.
Senate Bill 77 requires state agencies to provide a notice of revocation of administrative rules and regulations to the public and removes abolished and inactive state agencies from the agency review requirements. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
Senate Bill 13 eliminates the requirements for filings for labor organizations. The Senate recommended the bill for a final vote without further amending on the floor.
These bills will go before the Senate for a final vote.