Kansas Legislative Insights Newsletter | September 10, 2019
The Secretary of State’s Office has begun to process candidate filings for the 2020 primary election. As of September 9, 26 Kansas House incumbents have filed for re-election while 10 Kansas Senators are seeking re-election. Despite numerous announcements, none of the major candidates for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts have actually filed for the 2020 primary election. Only Topeka Republican Gabriel Robles and Wichita Democrat Robert Tillman have actually filed for the U.S. Senate. There are no formal filings yet for the U.S. House of Representatives.
After the first two months of the fiscal year, the Kansas tax revenue has narrowly exceeded the estimates for each month. In August, Kansas individual income tax receipts were $6.2 million more than the estimate. The August sales tax revenue was $7 million, or 3.6%, above the estimate. The corporate income tax revenue was $5.3 million, or 44%, below the estimate. On August 9, the Kansas Lottery announced it transferred around $173 million in FY 2019 to the state budget. Lottery games produced $75 million and nearly $99 million was generated by state-owned and -operated casinos.
Interim committees are starting to meet and will continue throughout the fall. In August, Aetna CEO Randy Hyun addressed the Bob Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services. He apologized for failing to meet state requirements for managing KanCare for its subscribers and acknowledged complaints from health providers. The next meeting will be in November, when Aetna will respond to concerns raised by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and by legislators. On September 12, the Special Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance will be studying healthcare benefits with a focus on the State Employee Health Plan and presentations on cost containment strategies.
The highly anticipated first meeting of the Special Committee on Judiciary is tentatively set for early October. In addition to reviewing the judicial selection process, the Special Committee on Judiciary is charged with reviewing the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on the citizens of Kansas. This is a clear reference to the Supreme Court decisions on abortion and the non-economic damages cap. How the 2020 Legislature might address the Kansas Supreme Court decision on non-economic damages has generated informal discussions on legislative options and potential constitutional amendments.
This summer, District 13 Rep. Larry Hibbard (R-Toronto) resigned from the Kansas House of Representatives due to health reasons. He was in his third term in the House of Representatives. On August 12, Joe Newland (R-Neodesha) was sworn in to replace Hibbard, representing House District 13.
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.
