KHA's Capitol Comments June 28, 2021 Redistricting Committees Set Last week, the Kansas Senate announced the membership of the chamber's Redistricting Committee. The committee members are as follows: Chair Rick Wilborn (R-McPherson), Vice- Chair Ty Masterson (R-Andover), Ranking Member Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa), Rick Billinger (R- Goodland), Renee Erickson (R-Wichita), Richard Hilderbrand (R-Galena), Rick Kloos (R-Topeka), Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora) and Ethan Corson (D-Prairie Village). The House announced its committee membership previously. The House members are: Chair Chris Croft (R-Overland Park), Vice-Chair Brad Ralph (R-Dodge City), Ranking Member Tom Burroughs (D-Kansas City), Barbara Ballard (D-Lawrence), John Barker (R-Abilene), Stephanie Clayton (D-Overland Park), Charlotte Esau (R-Olathe), Kyle Hoffman (R-Coldwater), Nick Hoheisel (R-Wichita), Steve Huebert (R-Valley Center), Jim Kelly (R-Independence), Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), Vic Miller (D-Topeka), Fred Patton (R-Topeka), Jason Probst (D- Hutchinson), Adam Smith (R-Weskan) and Bill Sutton (R-Gardner). These committees will oversee the work of analyzing data from the 2020 census to develop new legislative maps. The process of redrawing legislative boundaries occurs every ten years. Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council Meets The newly created Unemployment Compensation Modernization and Improvement Council began meeting last week. The committee, consisting of legislative and non-legislative members, was created by Senate Sub. for Sub. for House Bill 2196 during the 2021 legislative session. The council is charged with examining and recommending changes to the unemployment insurance system and examining the claim filing and benefits system, including necessary technology upgrades. The council is slated to have an initial report within 14 days of the first meeting, with a more in-depth report, including an audit of the UI system, by May 1, 2022. The final report is due by Sept. 1, 2022. SPARK Executive Committee Holds First Discussions Last week, the new make-up of the Strengthening People and Revitalizing Kansas Executive Committee met to review available funds coming to Kansas, the allowable uses and the development of a structure for future recommendations coming from working groups. The committee approved the fiscal year 2021 budget for the Office of Recovery with the ability to carry forward any remaining balances. The committee requested several items be held over for further review. These items include funding of townships with populations under 50,000, FY 2022 budget information, Kansas Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance surges and a potential vaccine lottery. State Finance Council Approves Express Toll Lane The Kansas State Finance Council, made up of Governor Laura Kelly and legislative leadership, met last week to approve the first express toll lane in Kansas to be located in Johnson County on U.S. 69 in Overland Park. The vote came after the approval this week of the project locally by the Overland Park City Council. For more information on the project, visit https://www.69express.org/. The State Finance Council also approved the state’s Office of Recovery budget as recommended by the SPARK Executive Committee. New Wichita Legislator Elected On June 17, local precinct committee members met to elect Chuck Schmidt to replace Representative Elizabeth Bishop (D-Wichita) in service to the 88th House District. Bishop's resignation is effective on July 1. Other legislative seats to be filled by mid-term replacements include House District 48, Jennifer Day (D-Overland Park), who submitted her resignation notice to the Secretary of State by mail last week, and House District 29, Brett Parker (D-Overland Park), who has announced his intention to leave the legislature after accepting a position with the statewide organizing committee Prairie Roots. Upcoming Interim Committee Meetings Several interim committees are slated to meet this week, including: • June 28 – Senate Confirmation Committee • June 28 – Kansas Criminal Justice Reform Commission • June 29 – Legislative Post Audit Other upcoming scheduled interims include: • July 9 – Joint Committee on Administration Rules and Regulations .