1) Legislature Off to Slow Start
The 2011 Legislative Session has seen very little action taken to date. In part, this is a result of the reorganization after the November elections and the subsequent appointments and office shifting. In addition, the Legislature installed new software the week prior to the session which has caused a backlog in the production of new bills. Some information is available on the Legislature's website at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/. However, we are being told it could be sometime in February before the site is fully functional. These delays may mean that most of the work of the session will be compressed into a few short weeks in February and March so stay tuned for breaking news and alerts.
Also, please plan to attend City Hall Day and make an appointment to visit with your legislators about key municipal issues. To register, go to http://www.lkm.org/legislative/cityhallday/.
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2) Join Us for City Hall Day
Don't forget to register for LKM's 2011 City Hall Day! This annual event, which will be on Wednesday, February 2, 2011, is designed to bring city officials together with state leaders to discuss issues of importance to city officials. Contact your House and Senate members in advance to schedule meetings to discuss issues of concern to your city along with the LKM Action Agenda.
City Hall Day will be free of charge to all city officials and legislators, but please sign up here so that we can get an accurate headcount. For more information, click here.
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|
3) Legislative Activities-January 24-28, 2011 |
| Monday, January 24 |
| Time |
Committee |
Location |
Bill No. |
Topic |
Activity |
| 9:00 |
H,PB |
142-S |
|
Funding Projections: Glenn Deck, Executive Director, KPERS |
Presentation |
| 9:30 |
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 24 |
Reorganization of domestic relations statutes |
Hearing |
| 1:30 |
H,CJJ |
144-S |
HB 2022 |
Allowing venue to be transferred back to the jurisdiction where the crime occurred when a defendant is to be conditionally released |
Hearing |
|
S,Ut |
548-S |
|
Chanute Broadband Initiative: J.D. Lester, City Administrator |
Presentation |
| Tuesday, January 25 |
| Time |
Committee |
Location |
Bill No. |
Topic |
Activity |
| 8:30 |
S,Tr |
152-S |
|
Don Moler, Executive Director, League of Kansas Municipalities |
Presentation |
| 9:00 |
H,EUt |
DSOB 785 |
|
Smart Metering: Current and Future Installations - Westar, BPU, KCP&L, KEC |
Informational Hearing |
|
H,EUt |
DSOB 785 |
|
Net Metering: Discussion of regulations - KCC; Status of implementation - Westar, KCP&L, Empire, KEC |
Informational Hearing |
| 9:30 |
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 23 |
Jury trial for juvenile offenders |
Hearing |
|
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 9 |
Amendments to the code of civil procedure |
Hearing |
|
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 35 |
Attorney-client privilege and work-product protection |
Hearing |
| 10:30 |
S,AT |
152-S |
SB 10 |
An act concerning sales taxation; relating to countywide retailers' sales tax |
Hearing |
| 1:30 |
H,CJJ |
144-S |
HB 2049 |
Amending the controlled substances schedule regarding tetrahydrocannabinols and related substances. |
Hearing |
|
H,FSA |
346-S |
HB 2013 |
Repealing statutes relating to the sale and purchase of certain firearms |
Hearing |
|
H,Tr |
DSOB 783 |
HB 2033 |
Registration of certain fleet motor vehicles |
Hearing |
|
S,Ut |
548-S |
SB 30 |
911 emergency services; prepaid wireless fees, collection and distribution |
Hearing |
| 3:30 |
H,Ju |
346-S |
HB 2030 |
Continuation of certain exceptions to disclosure under the open records act |
Hearing |
|
H,LG |
144-S |
|
Kris W. Kobach, Kansas Secretary of State |
Briefing |
| Wednesday, January 26 |
| Time |
Committee |
Location |
Bill No. |
Topic |
Activity |
| 9:00 |
H,PB |
142-S |
|
Other States Pension Legislation: Julian Efird Legislative Research Department |
Presentation |
|
H,PB |
142-S |
|
Impact of Joint Committee Recommended Bills and Comparison of KPERS Benefits and Funding to Other States: Glenn Deck, Executive Director, KPERS |
Presentation |
|
H,PB |
142-S |
|
Recommendations by the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments & Benefits |
Presentation |
| 9:30 |
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 7 |
Driving under the influence - Proponents |
Continuation of hearing |
| 10:30 |
S,FSA |
144-S |
SB 25 |
Authorizing temporary licenses for on-premises sales of cereal malt beverage |
Hearing |
| 1:30 |
H,ANR |
142-S |
|
Review of water meters: Division of Water Resources, Department of Agriculture |
Presentation |
|
H,FSA |
346-S |
HB 2013 |
Repealing statutes relating to the sale and purchase of certain firearms |
Possibly work on |
|
H,Tr |
DSOB 783 |
HB 2034 |
Raising speed limit on certain roadways to 75 mph |
Hearing |
|
S,Ut |
548-S |
|
Nex-Tech Broadband Expansion Activities: Jeff Wick |
Presentation |
| Thursday, January 27 |
| Time |
Committee |
Location |
Bill No. |
Topic |
Activity |
| 8:30 |
S,NR |
159-S |
|
Kansas Water Authority members; Tracy Streeter, Director, Kansas Water Office |
Presentation |
|
S,Tr |
152-S |
|
Mike Floberg, Chief of Transporation Safety and Technology, Signage |
Presentation |
| 9:00 |
H,EUt |
DSOB 785 |
|
Trans-Canada |
Presentation |
|
H,EUt |
DSOB 785 |
HCR 5005 |
Establishing targets for energy development, consumption and costs. |
Hearing |
| 9:30 |
S,EE |
159-S |
|
Kris W. Kobach, Kansas Secretary of State |
Presentation |
|
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 7 |
Driving under the influence - Opponents and Neutral Parties |
Continuation of hearing |
| 1:30 |
S,Ut |
548-S |
|
Comprehensive 911 legislation - bill number not available |
Staff Explanation |
| 3:30 |
H,Ju |
346-S |
HB 2010 |
Offenses and conduct giving rise to forfeiture |
Hearing |
| Friday, January 28 |
| Time |
Committee |
Location |
Bill No. |
Topic |
Activity |
| 9:30 |
S,Ju |
548-S |
SB 7 |
Driving under the influence |
Committee discussion and possible action |
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4) EPA Grants Available
Funds are available for eligible entities through the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) competitive grant program. CARE is a community-based, community-driven, multimedia demonstration program designed to help
communities understand and reduce risks due to toxic pollutants and
environmental concerns from all sources.
The CARE grant program works with applicants and recipients to help
their communities form collaborative partnerships, develop an
understanding of the many local sources of toxic pollutants and
environmental risks, set priorities, and identify and carry out projects
to reduce risks through collaborative action at the local level. CARE's
long-term goal is to help communities build self-sustaining,
community-based partnerships that will continue to improve human health
and local environments into the future. Please click here for more information. The grant RFP can be found here.
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5) Get Involved in the Let's Move Cities and Towns Initiative
Let's Move is a comprehensive initiative, launched by the First Lady,
dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation so that kids
born today will grow up healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
Every city and every town is different,
and each requires a distinct approach to this issue. Let's Move Cities and
Towns emphasizes the unique ability of communities to solve the challenge
locally, aided by the crucial leadership of mayors and elected officials to
provoke action. To learn more and to access tools and resources visit:
http://www.letsmove.gov/officials-step-1.php. Fact sheets can be found here.
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6) JRJ Grant Available for Government Prosecutors and Public Defenders
The John R. Justice (JRJ Grant) Program provides loan repayment assistance for local, state, and federal government public defenders and local and state government prosecutors who commit to continued employment as public defenders and prosecutors for at least three (3) years. For more information, please click here.
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7) Register for MLAs
There's still time to register for the January MLA, Finance Planning and Policy Concepts, which will be in Lansing on Saturday, January 22. This elective course will offer participants a better understanding of municipal finance issues in Kansas. Finance Planning and Policy Concepts has been designed to complement the themes covered in the core MLA municipal finance class. Prior participation in Municipal Finance is not required. To register or for more information, please click here.
February's MLA, Ethics, will be in Shawnee on February 11, Dodge City on February 25, and El Dorado on February 26. This core course will provide an overview of the law as it relates to local government ethics and will offer strategies that your city can follow to encourage ethical behavior. Click here for registration and more information.
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For a PDF Version of the League News, Click Here
