Kansas Legislative Insights Newsletter | March 27, 2020
March 27, 2020
First Adjournment
The 2020 Kansas Legislature adjourned Thursday, March 19, two weeks ahead of schedule. They passed a base budget, funded the transportation plan, and addressed unemployment insurance eligibility and other urgent issues. The Legislative Coordinating Council was given $50 million to address COVID-19 needs in the current fiscal-year budget.
Revised Legislative Schedule
Last week, the last measure passed was the adjournment resolution. The Legislature is scheduled to return on April 27. The unique aspect of the resolution is that it gives the Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) the authority to adjust the meeting either forward or back. The resolution makes it clear the LCC couldn’t delay the return of the Legislature beyond May 21, which is the current date set for sine die adjournment.
The original Second House Consideration of bills was March 25. It is extended to May 1 in the resolution. The April 3 Drop Dead Day for consideration of all bills is extended to May 8 under the resolution.
CREG Meeting
On April 20, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Group (CREG) will have its annual meeting prior to the start of the Legislature returning for the traditional Veto Session. The CREG has the responsibility to revise revenue estimates regarding anticipated receipts that provide the basis for the next fiscal year and beyond. The CREG economists and economic policymakers will have a daunting task with the emergency facing every state. The new economic forecast will look much different from their last meeting in October. Kansas unemployment claims have already drastically increased, reflecting the initial impact of the pandemic.
The March Kansas Department of Revenue numbers (KDOR) will provide our first glimpse of the initial impact of COVID-19 on our state economy. The numbers will be scrutinized by policy makers before finalizing the omnibus budget bill.
Kansas Legislative Insights is a publication developed by the Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law practice group of Foulston Siefkin LLP. It is designed to inform business executives, human resources and governmental relations professionals, and general counsel about current developments occurring in current Kansas legislation. Published regularly during the Kansas legislative session, it focuses on issues involving health care, insurance, public finance, taxation, financial institutions, business & economic development, energy, real estate & construction, environmental, agribusiness, employment, and workers compensation. Bill summaries are by necessity brief, however, for additional information on any issue before the Kansas Legislature, contact Foulston Siefkin’s Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law practice group leader, James P. Rankin at 785.233.3600 or jrankin@foulston.com.
Kansas Legislative Insights Editors
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James (Jim) P. Rankin Governmental Relations & Public Policy Law Team Leader 785.806.3600 jrankin@foulston.com | View Bio |
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Gary L. Robbins Governmental Affairs Consultant 785.640.2651 garyrobbinsconsulting@gmail.com |
James P. (Jim) Rankin and Gary L. Robbins are co-editors of Foulston Siefkin’s Kansas Legislative Insights Newsletter.
As a partner at Foulston Siefkin, Jim’s practice focuses on employee benefits law relating to public, private, governmental, and tax-exempt organizations. A large part of his work involves insurance regulatory and compliance issues in many industries, including healthcare. Jim has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® and the Missouri & Kansas Super Lawyers® list. He is the firm's representative with State Law Resources, Inc., a national network of independent law firms selected for their expertise in administrative, regulatory, and government relations at the state and federal level.
Gary, a governmental affairs consultant to Foulston Siefkin’s Governmental Relations & Public Policy practice group, provides legislative monitoring and lobbying services for Foulston’s governmental relations clients. He holds a bachelor of science degree in history and political science from Southwestern College and a master’s degree in labor economics from Wichita State University. Throughout his extensive career, Gary has served as CLE Director to the Kansas Bar Association and as Executive Director of the Kansas Optometric Association.
This update has been prepared by Foulston Siefkin LLP for informational purposes only. It is not a legal opinion; it does not provide legal advice for any purpose; and it neither creates nor constitutes evidence of an attorney-client relationship.
