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The second half of session is well underway and honestly nearly over. This week, is the last week for committees to meet and next week the Legislature will spend all day on the House floor debating the legislation approved by House committees.

In the next several weeks, the House of Representatives will debate a budget, hopefully a tax plan and finalize redistricting maps for the Kansas House and Senate.

I always enjoy hearing from you and even more when we have the opportunity to visit with you back home. I encourage you to watch the action via the Legislature’s YouTube Page or Listen Live to debate or read testimony via the Legislature’s website. I can better represent our community when I know where you stand on the issues.

Rep. Jim Minnix
State Capitol, Room 512-N
Jim.Minnix@house.ks.gov
785-296-7384

Last week, the House of Representatives debated HCR 5027, a resolution that would add Kansas to the list of states calling for a constitutional convention. The purpose of the convention is to propose amendments to the constitution that would rein in the federal government through fiscal restrictions, limited powers and term limits.

I voted in favor of the measure. However, it failed to receive the two-thirds majority needed to pass. I will continue fighting to keep Washington in check and work on measures that preserve local control and state’s rights.

I had the privilege of visiting with young stockman from around the state during the Kansas Livestock Association’s Young Stockman event.

For far too long, the state shirked its responsibilities to KPERS, the state’s retirement system. SB 421 invests $1 billion of the state’s surplus in KPERS. It will go to buy down debt and stabilize the fund.

This bill is an important part of getting our state back on track along with our budget and tax plan. Making this investment now will save taxpayers money in the long run.

4-Her’s from across the state filled the Kansas House chamber earlier this session to take part in the citizens in action program. It is a great opportunity for students to see what government is like and I was pleased to see so many from our community take part in the event.

Violence against health care workers and in health care facilities has risen in recent years. Kansas hospitals have asked for assistance in helping protect health care professionals from the violence of patiences and their families.

H Sub SB 286 increases the penalty for assault of a health care worker and creates a new crime of interference with the conduct of a hospital. This is not a new concept, there are already other laws in place regarding interference with other first responders.

The bill also includes the extension of several key provisions regarding the state’s response to COVID including the expansion of telemedicine and immunity from civil liability for health care providers.

The debate on water continues as the proposed bill, HB 2686, got a new look after committee debate. The House Committee on Water ultimately forwarded a Substitute bill to the full House of Representatives that includes a portion of the state sales tax dedicated to the State Water Plan Fund and additional reporting requirements for Groundwater Management Districts, which include financial information and plans for additional water conservation.

The substitute bill was a much better product for our rural communities and I supported the substitute bill. I will keep you posted on the bill’s progress in the House.

Earlier this session, I had the opportunity to join other legislators for a panel discussion hosted by the Kansas Association of Counties. As a former county commissioner, I appreciate hearing the counties perspective on issues!

Last week, the Senate leadership introduced their proposed map to redraw the state’s senate districts. This week, House leadership introduced their proposed map to redraw the state’s House districts.

Check out all of the proposed maps submitted! There are a few changes in our area, including the expansion of House district 118. With the loss of population, the district needed to grow in order to incorporate the same number of people as other districts.