KHA's Capitol Comments January 4, 2021

House Committees Set House leadership has named the committee schedule and membership for the upcoming 2021 legislative session.

The Committee for Health and Human Services meets daily at 1:30 p.m. and is chaired by (R-Wichita). The Vice Chair is (R-Atchison). The ranking Democrat is (D-Overland Park). The committee also includes the following members: Tory Arnberger (R-Great Bend), John Barker (R-Abilene), Emil Bergquist (R-Park City), (R- Independence), (R-Clay Center), Ron Ellis (R-Meriden), Jim Kelly (R-Independence), (R-Olathe), Adam Smith (R-Weskan), Carl Turner (R-Leawood), Elizabeth Bishop (D- Wichita), (D-Shawnee) and (D-Lawrence).

New committees and their membership are as follows:

Water: Chair (R-Wamego), Vice (R-Fowler), Ranking Member Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita). Members: Suzi Carlson (R-Clay Center), (R-Overland Park), Brett Fairchild (R-St. John), Russ Jennings (R-Lakin), Jim Minnix (R-Scott City), Michael Murphy (R- Sylvia), (R-Neodesha), (R-Wellington), Adam Smith (R-Weskan), Adam Thomas (R-Olathe), Christina Haswood (D-Lawrence), (D-Wichita), (D-Prairie Village) and (D-Overland Park).

Redistricting: Chair Chris Croft (R-Overland Park), Vice Chair John Barker (R-Abilene). Members: (R-Olathe), (R-Coldwater), Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita), (R-Valley Center), Jim Kelly (R-Independence), Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), (R-Topeka), Adam Smith (R-Weskan) and Bill Sutton (R-Gardner). Minority party members have not been announced.

Existing committee membership is as follows:

Appropriations: Chair (R-Bunker Hill), Vice Chair Kyle Hoffman (R-Coldwater), Ranking Member (D- City). Members: Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), (R-Beloit), (R-Topeka), Susan Estes (R-Wichita), (R-Liberal), (R-Wichita), Steven Johnson (R-Assaria), Brenda Landwehr (R- Wichita), Stephen Owens (R-Hesston), (R-Parsons), (R-Agra), Bill Sutton (R-Gardner), Sean Tarwarter (R-Stillwell), (R-Augusta), Brett Parker (D- Overland Park), (D-Eastborough), (D-Manhattan), (D-Kansas City), (D-Topeka) and (D-Lawrence).

Federal and State Affairs: Chair John Barker (R-Abilene), Vice Chair Tory Arnberger (R-Great Bend), Ranking Member (D-Kansas City). Members: (R-St. Marys), (R-Mulvane), (R-Derby), John Eplee (R-Atchison), Randy Garber (R- Sabetha), Michael Houser (R-Columbus), Steve Howe (R-Salina), Trevor Jacobs (R-Fort Scott), Lisa Moser (R-Wheaton), (R-Wichita), Samantha Poetter (R-Paola), (R-Olathe), Eric Smith (R-Burlington), Paul Waggoner (R-Hutchinson), Boog Highberger (D- Lawrence), (D-Topeka), (D-Overland Park), (D-Kansas City), Jo Ella Hoye (D-Lenexa) and (D-Lenexa).

Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications: Chair (R-Pretty Prairie), Vice Chair Mark Schreiber (R-Emporia), Ranking Member (D-Topeka). Members: (R-Newton), Emil Bergquist (R-Park City), (R-Topeka), (R-Topeka), Charlotte Esau (R-Olathe), Tom Kessler (R-Wichita), (R-McPherson), (R- Wellsville), Chuck Smith (R-Pittsburg), Carl Turner (R-Leawood), John Carmichael (D-Wichita), KC Ohaebosim (D-Wichita), Jim Gartner (D-Topeka) and (D-Shawnee).

Financial Institutions and Rural Development: Chair Jim Kelly (R-Independence), Vice Chair Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita), Ranking Member (D-Westwood). Members: Avery Anderson (R-Newton), Dave Baker (R-Council Grove), Brian Bergkamp (R-Haysville), (R- Shawnee), Tom Kessler (R-Wichita), Megan Lynn (R-Olathe), Lance Neelly (R-Tonganoxie), Mark Samsel (R-Wellsville), John Toplikar (R-Olathe), Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), (D-Wichita), Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park), Mari-Lynn Poskin (D-Overland Park) and (D- Topeka).

Local Government: Chair (R-Iola), Vice Chair Ken Collins (R-Mulberry), Ranking Member (D-Kansas City). Members: (R-Mulvane), Ron Howard (R- Wichita), Tatum Lee-Hahn (R-Ness City), Marty Long (R-Ulysses), Clarke Sanders (R-Salina), John Wheeler (R-Garden City), Linda Featherston (D-Overland Park), (D-Lawrence) and (D-Merriam).

Veterans and Military: Chair (R-Junction City), Vice Chair Ron Ellis (R-Meriden), Ranking Member Susan Ruiz (D-Shawnee). Members: Ken Collins (R-Mulberry), (R- Manhattan), David French (R-Lansing), Ron Howard (R-Wichita), Tim Johnson (R-Bonner Springs), Lance Neelly (R-Tonganoxie), Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth), Ponka-We Victors (D- Wichita), Virgil Weigel (D-Topeka), and Mari-Lynn Poskin (D-Overland Park).

Agriculture and Natural Resources: Chair Ken Corbet (R-Topeka), Vice Chair Joe Newland (R- Neodesha), Ranking Member Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan). Members: Dave Baker (R-Council Grove), Randy Garber (R-Sabetha), Ron Howard (R-Wichita), Tatum Lee-Hahn (R-Ness City), Jim Gartner (D-Topeka) and John Alcala (D-Topeka).

Children and Seniors: Chair Susan Concannon (R-Beloit), Vice Chair Charlotte Esau (R-Olathe), Ranking Member Jarrod Ousley (D-Merriam). Members: Cheryl Helmer (R-Mulvane), Tim Johnson (R-Bonner Springs), Lisa Moser (R-Wheaton), Patrick Penn (R-Wichita), Chuck Smith (R- Pittsburg), Kent Thompson (R-Iola), Paul Waggoner (R-Hutchinson), Cindy Neighbor (D- Shawnee), Lindsay Vaughn (D-Overland Park) and Jo Ella Hoye (D-Lenexa).

Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development: Chair (R-Stillwell), Vice Chair Marty Long (R-Ulysses), Ranking Member Stephanie Clayton (D-Overland Park). Members: Avery Anderson (R-Newton), Francis Awerkamp (R-St. Marys), Jesse Borjon (R-Topeka), Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), Chris Croft (R-Overland Park), Mike Dodson (R-Manhattan), Ron Highland (R-Wamego), Kyle Hoffman (R-Coldwater), Steven Johnson (R-Assaria), Tom Kessler (R- Wichita), Les Mason (R-McPherson), Brad Ralph (R-Dodge City), Bill Sutton (R-Gardner), Kristey Williams (R-Augusta), Pam Curtis (D-Kansas City), Louis Ruiz (D-Kansas City), (D- Hutchinson), Rui Xu (D-Westwood), Vic Miller (D-Topeka) and Tom Burroughs (D-Kansas City).

Corrections/Juvenile Justice: Chair Russ Jennings (R-Lakin), Vice Chair Stephen Owens (R- Hesston), Ranking Member Boog Highberger (D-Lawrence). Members: Blake Carpenter (R- Derby), David French (R-Lansing), Fred Patton (R-Topeka), Samantha Poetter (R-Paola), John Resman (R-Olathe), Eric Smith (R-Burlington), John Wheeler (R-Garden City), John Carmichael (D-Wichita), Annie Kuether (D-Topeka) and Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park).

Education: Chair Steve Huebert (R-Valley Center), Vice Chair Adam Thomas (R-Olathe), Ranking Member Jerry Stogsdill (D-Prairie Village). Members: Brian Bergkamp (R-Haysville), Lonnie Clark (R-Junction City), Ken Collins (R-Mulberry), Owen Donohoe (R-Shawnee), Susan Estes (R- Wichita), Michael Murphy (R-Sylvia), Boyd Orr (R-Fowler), Mark Samsel (R-Wellsville), Clarke Sanders (R-Salina, Mark Schreiber (R-Emporia), Mari-Lynn Poskin (D-Overland Park), Linda Featherston (D-Overland Park) and Stephanie Byers (D-Wichita).

Higher Education Budget: Chair Susan Humphries (R-Wichita), Vice Chair Barb Wasinger (R- Hays), Ranking Member Brandon Woodard (D-Lenexa). Members: Jesse Burris (R-Mulvane), Brett Fairchild (R-St. John), Ken Rahjes (R-Agra), Bill Rhiley (R-Wellington), Mike Amyx (D- Lawrence) and (D-Kansas City).

Transportation: Chair Richard Proehl (R-Parsons), Vice Chair Leo Delperdang (R-Wichita), Ranking Member Henry Helgerson (D-Eastborough). Members: Shannon Francis (R-Liberal), Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita) Michael Houser (R-Columbus), Steven Howe (R-Salina), Trevor Jacobs (R-Fort Scott), Jim Minnix (R-Scott City), Lance Neelly (R-Tonganoxie), Pat Proctor (R- Leavenworth), Joe Seiwert (R-Pretty Prairie), John Toplikar (R-Olathe), Barbara Ballard (D- Lawrence), KC Ohaebosim (D-Wichita), Ponka-We Victors (D-Wichita) and Virgil Weigel (D- Topeka).

Agriculture: Chair Ken Rahjes (R-Agra), Vice Chair Eric Smith (R-Burlington), Ranking Member Sydney Carlin (D-Manhattan). Members; Suzi Carlson (R-Clay Center), Brett Fairchild (R-St. John), Trevor Jacobs (R-Fort Scott), Jim Minnix (R-Scott City), Lisa Moser (R-Wheaton), Michael Murphy (R-Sylvia), Joe Newland (R-Neodesha), Boyd Orr (R-Fowler), Joe Seiwert (R-Pretty Prairie), Kent Thompson (R-Iola), Rui Xu (D-Westwood), Christina Haswood (D-Lawrence), Jason Probst (D-Hutchinson) and Linda Featherston (D-Overland Park).

General Government Budget: Chair Bill Sutton (R-Gardner), Vice Chair Paul Waggoner (R- Hutchinson), Ranking Member Mike Amyx (D-Lawrence). Members; Avery Anderson (R- Newton), Tory Arnberger (R-Great Bend), Lonnie Clark (R-Junction City), David French (R- Lansing), Tom Burroughs (D-Kansas City) and Kathy Wolfe Moore (D-Kansas City).

Judiciary: Chair Fred Patton (R-Topeka), Vice Chair Brad Ralph (R-Dodge City), Ranking Member John Carmichael (D-Wichita). Members; Jesse Burris (R-Mulvane), Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita, Susan Humphries, (R-Wichita), Russ Jennings (R-Lakin), Marty Long (R-Ulysses), Lance Neelly (R- Tonganoxie), Stephen Owens (R-Hesston), Mark Samsel (R-Wellsville), Mark Schreiber (R- Emporia), John Wheeler (R-Garden City), Boog Highberger (D-Lawrence), Annie Kuether (D- Topeka), KC Ohaebosim (D-Wichita) and Pam Curtis (D-Kansas City).

K-12 Education Budget: Chair Kristey Williams (R-Augusta), Vice Chair Kyle Hoffman (R- Coldwater), Ranking Member Valdenia Winn (D-Kansas City). Members: Susan Estes (R- Wichita), Steve Huebert (R-Valley Center), Tim Johnson (R-Bonner Springs), Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), Patrick Penn (R-Wichita), Sean Tarwater (R-Stilwell), Adam Thomas (R-Olathe), Stephanie Byers (D-Wichita), Jarrod Ousley (D-Merriam), Jo Ella Hoye (D-Lenexa) and Tom Sawyer (D-Wichita).

Social Services Budget: Chair Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), Vice Chair Megan Lynn (R-Olathe), Ranking Member Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence). Members: Susan Concannon (R-Beloit), Owen Donohoe (R-Shawnee), Cheryl Helmer (R-Mulvane), Ron Howard (R-Wichita), Susan Ruiz (D- Shawnee) and Lindsay Vaughn (D-Overland Park).

Taxation: Chair Adam Smith (R-Weskan), Vice Chair Les Mason (R-McPherson), Ranking Member Jim Gartner (D-Topeka). Members: Francis Awerkamp (R-St. Marys), Dave Baker (R- Council Grove), Brian Bergkamp (R-Haysville), Doug Blex (R-Independence), Ken Corbet (R- Topeka), John Eplee, (R-Atchison), Ron Highland (R-Wamego), Jim Kelly (R-Independence), Tom Kessler (R-Wichita), Samantha Poetter (R-Paola), Richard Proehl (R-Parsons), Clarke Sanders (R- Salina), Carl Turner (R-Leawood), Barb Wasinger (R-Hays), John Alcala (D-Topeka), Stephanie Clayton (D-Overland Park), Brandon Woodard (D-Lenexa), Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park), Henry Helgerson (D-Eastborough) and Jerry Stogsdill (D-Prairie Village).

Transportation and Public Safety Budget: Chair Shannon Francis (R-Liberal), Vice Chair John Resman (R-Olathe), Ranking Member Virgil Weigel (D-Topeka). Members: Leo Delperdang (R- Wichita), Ron Ellis (R-Meriden), Charlotte Esau (R-Olathe), Michael Houser (R-Columbus), Mari- Lynn Poskin (D-Overland Park) and Ponka-We Victors (D-Wichita).

Elections: Chair Blake Carpenter (R-Derby), Vice Chair Emil Bergquist (R-Park City), Ranking Member Vic Miller (D-Topeka). Members: Jesse Borjon (R-Topeka), Ken Collins (R-Mulberry), Mike Dodson (R-Manhattan), Tatum Lee-Hahn (R-Ness City), Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth), Chuck Smith (R-Pittsburg), John Toplikar (R-Olathe), Brett Parker (D-Overland Park), Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita) and Cindy Neighbor (D-Shawnee).

Insurance and Pensions: Chair Steven Johnson (R-Assaria), Vice Chair Chris Croft (R-Overland Park), and Ranking Member Cindy Neighbor (D-Shawnee). Members: Emil Bergquist (R-Park City), Jesse Borjon (R-Topeka), Ken Collins (R-Mulberry), Mike Dodson (R-Manhattan), Randy Garber (R-Sabetha), Steven Howe (R-Salina), Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth), Bill Rhiley (R- Wellington), Chuck Smith (R-Pittsburg), John Toplikar (R-Olathe), Brett Parker (D-Overland Park), Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita), Gail Finney (D-Wichita) and Vic Miller (D-Topeka).

Governor Announces State of the State Address Governor ’s virtual State of the State address is scheduled for Jan. 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The address maps out the Governor’s legislative priorities for 2021. Viewers can watch the address on public television stations: KTWU, KPTS and Smoky Hills Public Broadcasting and online on the Governor’s Facebook page.

Legislative Coordinating Council Makes Plans for 2021 Legislative Session The Legislative Coordinating Council, consisting of legislative leadership in the house and senate, met last week to discuss with Legislative Administrative Services the 2021 Legislative Session plan.

While the committee did not vote on any plans, they received an update about LAS's guidance from a walk-thru with the University of Kansas Health Systems. The committee indicated there would be limited access to the chamber floors, and to the building, in addition to upgraded cleaning services. Committee work will occur in a hybrid model, allowing legislators and conferees to attend and testify, and vote on committee work via WebEx. Regular programs, such as the intern and page programs and other events that draw large crowds, will not be allowed during the 2021 legislative session. Leadership indicated these plans may be amended as the session continues.

Legislative Session Calendar Set The 2021 legislative calendar has been released. The calendar indicates an 89-day session with the following deadlines:

Monday, Jan. 11 Session starts

Monday, Feb. 1 Last day for individuals to request member-sponsored bill drafts

Monday, Feb. 8 Last day for non-exempt committees to request bill drafts

Wednesday, Feb. 10 Last day for individuals to introduce bills in the chamber

Friday, Feb. 12 Last day for non-exempt committees to introduce bills

Friday, Feb. 26 Last day for committees to meet

March 1-4 All day in chamber session

Friday, March 5 Turnaround day - Last day for non-exempt bills in the house of origin

Friday, March 26 Last day for non-exempt committees to meet

Wednesday, March 31 Last day for non-exempt bills in either chamber

April 6-8 Conference committees meet

Friday, April 9 First adjournment

Monday, May 3 Veto session begins

Tuesday, May 11 Day 89 – anticipated session ending

Exempt committees: House and Senate Federal and State Affairs, Senate Ways and Means, Senate Assessment and Taxation, House committees on Calendar and Printing, Appropriations, Taxation or select committees of either house when so authorized.

Exempt bills: Bills sponsored by, referred to or acted upon by an exempt committee.