2020 Briefing Book V Education
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Kansas Legislator Briefing Book Prepared for the 2020 Kansas Legislature Providing objective research and fiscal analysis for the Kansas Legislature Kansas Legislative Research Department Room 68-W, Statehouse 300 SW 10th Avenue Topeka, KS 66612 Phone: (785) 296-3181 kslegislature.org/klrd/ This page intentionally left blank. Kansas Legislator Briefing Book Prepared for the 2020 Kansas Legislature Kansas Legislators are called upon to make decisions on many issues that come before the Legislature. In addition, members of the Legislature are frequently asked by constituent groups to discuss public policy issues in a community forum in their districts. The purpose of the Kansas Legislator Briefing Book is to assist members in making informed policy decisions and to provide information in a condensed form that is usable for discussions with constituents—whether in their offices in Topeka or in their districts. This publication contains several reports on new topics plus reports from the prior version. Most of the reports from the prior version have been updated with new information. Kansas Legislative Research Department 300 SW 10th Ave. Room 68-West, Statehouse Topeka, KS 66612-1504 Phone: 785-296-3181 kslegislature.org/klrd This page intentionally left blank. TABLE OF CONTENTS Agriculture and Natural Resources Industrial Hemp ....................................................................................................................... A-1 This article summarizes the current state of industrial hemp law in Kansas, including legislative history for both state and federal hemp provisions. Also included is variations on industrial hemp pilot programs in other states. State Water Plan Fund, Kansas Water Authority, and State Water Plan ................................. A-2 This article details the State Water Plan Fund, including revenue consisting of fees and receipts, transfers into the State Water Plan Fund, and expenditures. Also included is information on the responsibilities and members of the Kansas Water Authority. Commerce, Labor, and Economic Development Department of Commerce ....................................................................................................... B-1 The Department of Commerce is the cabinet agency concerned with economic and business development. Workforce training initiatives are organized within the Department as well. For certain economic development programs, the Department certifies to the Department of Revenue persons or entities meet the eligibility for tax credits or other special distributions of public revenue. Statewide STAR Bond Authority .............................................................................................. B-2 Sales Tax and Revenue (STAR) Bonds are a form of tax increment financing (TIF) that may be used to finance certain economic development projects in the state. Bonds issued by a city government are repaid using all of the incremental revenues received by the city or county from any local sales and use taxes and transient guest taxes, along with all or a portion of state sales and use taxes collected in the STAR Bond district. The authority to permit new STAR Bond districts is scheduled to sunset July 1, 2020. Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund ..................................................................................... B-3 The Kansas Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund was created in 1937 as the State’s counterpart to the Federal Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund. The State’s Fund provides income stability for Kansans during times of economic difficulty while stimulating economic activity. Methods used to calculate employer contributions, employee benefits, and the management of the Trust Fund are discussed in this article. 2020 Briefing Book v Education Career Technical Education in Kansas .................................................................................... C-1 The Career Technical Education Initiative (SB 155) was launched in 2012. Kansas high school students can qualify for free college tuition in approved technical courses offered at Kansas technical and community colleges. School districts also receive a monetary incentive for each student who graduates with an industry- recognized credential in a high-need occupation. Participation has increased every year, and the program has received national recognition. Mental Health Intervention Team Pilot Program ...................................................................... C-2 Created by the 2018 Legislature and expanded by the 2019 Legislature, the goal of the Mental Health Intervention Team Pilot Program is to “improve social- emotional wellness and outcomes for students by increasing schools’ access to counselors, social workers, and psychologists statewide.” School Finance—Recent Legislative Changes ....................................................................... C-3 This article provides an overview of school finance legislation enacted by the 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 Legislatures. Such legislation includes the Classroom Learning Assuring Student Success Act, which provided block grant funding for each school district for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years, and the Kansas School Equity and Enhancement Act, which was enacted by the 2017 Legislature and modified by the 2018 and 2019 Legislatures. School Safety and Security ..................................................................................................... C-4 This article provides an overview of legislative action related to school safety and security during the 2018 and 2019 Sessions. Elections and Ethics Election Security...................................................................................................................... D-1 This article examines security issues related to election systems across the nation and summarizes election security activities being undertaken at the federal and state levels. Kansas Open Meetings Act ..................................................................................................... D-2 This article reviews provisions and definitions found in the Kansas Open Meetings Act, the public bodies that are covered, and penalties for violating the law. vi 2020 Briefing Book Kansas Open Records Act ...................................................................................................... D-3 This article summarizes provisions of the Kansas Open Records Act and exceptions to it. Responsibilities of public agencies are listed, as well as the rights of persons who request public records. Penalties for violations of the law are described. Post-election Audits ................................................................................................................. D-4 This article provides information on post-election audits and identifies the different types of post-election audits used in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Voter Registration and Identification........................................................................................ D-5 This article briefly summarizes the current status of law concerning voter registration requirements, including both national requirements and state requirements. The state practices of same day voter registration, online registration, preregistration, and voter identification requirements are discussed. Federal and State Affairs Carrying of Firearms ................................................................................................................ E-1 This article provides an overview of the legislative history of firearms policy in the state as well as summarizes current law. Legalization of Medical and Recreational Marijuana and Industrial Hemp ............................. E-2 The possession and use of medical marijuana is not legal in Kansas; however, there have been several bills introduced over the past 15 years to change the law. A summary of those bills and an overview of the medical and recreational marijuana laws in other states is provided. The article also briefly examines recent enactments that have affected changes in penalties and decriminalization of marijuana in Kansas and other states. Liquor Laws ............................................................................................................................. E-3 This article summarizes liquor laws in Kansas, including changes made to liquor laws during the last five legislative sessions. Lottery, State-owned Casinos, Parimutuel Wagering, and Tribal Casinos .............................. E-4 Kansas voters approved a constitutional amendment in 1986 for the establishment of a State-owned lottery and the operation of parimutuel racing. In 2007, SB 66, commonly known as the Kansas Expanded Lottery Act (KELA), authorized a lottery 2020 Briefing Book vii involving electronic gaming and racetrack gaming facilities. Included in this article is an explanation of the constitutionality of lottery operations and an overview of the distribution of revenues from traditional lottery sales, expanded gaming, and parimutuel racing. Provisions of KELA, such as the requirements, approval, and regulation of gaming facility contracts, is also detailed. Lastly, this article provides a summary of tribal-state gaming regarding the four resident tribes of Kansas. Red Flag Laws ........................................................................................................................ E-5 This article provides information on red flag laws, including red flag legislation