KHA's Capitol Comments May 21, 2021

Governor Vetoes Short-Term, Limited Duration Health Plans Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed the contents of Senate Bill 29. The bill would have extended the current 12-month limitation on short-term, limited-duration health insurance coverage to allow for the continuation of that insurance coverage for up to 36 months. The legislation passed the Senate on a vote of 29-11 and the House on a vote of 68-51. In the governor's veto message, Medicaid expansion was highlighted as a better solution. The Legislature has one opportunity, the upcoming Sine Die session, to attempt to override any governor's vetoes. Any veto overrides require 27 votes in the Senate and 84 votes in the House.

Legislature Returns Tuesday for Sine Die – LCC Will Meet The returns on May 26 for Sine Die. Sine Die, a Latin term meaning without day, signals the final adjournment of the 2021 legislative session. The mainly ceremonial day is annually set following the end of the session to give the Executive branch a chance to receive and take action on bills passed by the 2021 Legislature. While the Legislature is in town next week, a meeting of the Legislative Coordinating Council, made up of Legislative Leadership, has been set for 2 p.m.

Legislative Changes Announced for Post Sine Die Since the Legislature adjourned on May 7, a few legislative departures have been announced. Representative (D-Overland Park), who also served as Ranking Minority on the House Health and Human Services Committee, has announced he is resigning from the Legislature after sine die to join Prairie Roots, a progressive statewide organizing committee headed by former State Senator (D-Mission Hills) who also ran for U.S. Senate last year.

Fellow colleague, Representative Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park) signaled she is departing the Legislature, as she and her husband are building a new home in another part of northeast Overland Park, a section currently represented by Representative Jerry Stogsdill (D-Prairie Village). Day was appointed by precinct committee members in 2020 to replace the former retiring state Representative Dave Benson.