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K-State Today

March 21, 2017

Legislative Update

Submitted by Sue Peterson

The Kansas Legislature is entering the final three weeks of the regular 2017 legislative session. Friday, March 24, is the last day for committees to work on bills in committee and send to the floor of the House and the Senate.

Last week, the Senate passed House Bill 2052. This legislation as it passed the House and the Senate does not include any budget reductions for Kansas State University or higher education for fiscal year 2017. The bill now goes to a House and Senate Conference Committee to resolve the differences between the two versions of the bill. The conference committee will begin meeting this week.

Also, the House Insurance Committee on March 14 had a hearing on SB 110. This legislation will assist J1 visa holders to acquire health insurance through their educational institutions. Approximately 55 employees are affected at K-State. The bill now goes to the floor of the House of Representatives.

Also last week, the Senate passed House Bill 2109. This legislation allows Kansas State University to sell three tracts of land: a small part of Marlatt Park on the east side of Seth Child Road; a small triangular piece of land in the University Research Park; and the site the Pure Bred Beef Unit currently occupies. The bill now goes to the governor.

This week both the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Ways and Means Committees will begin work on the bills encompassing the governor's budget recommendations for fiscal years 2018 and 2019.

Also this week the Kansas House of Representatives may debate either or both House Bill 2042 and House Bill 2081. These bills are related to firearms and would likely see amendments attempted regarding college campuses, hospitals and mental health facilities and the current exemption for these entities.

Please see the weekly updates every Tuesday in K-State Today through the Final Adjournment of the 2017 Kansas Legislature.

The Office of Governmental Relations also will host Kansas Legislative Review Sessions March 31 Hale Library's Hemisphere Room; and April 14 and April 28 in 21 Bluemont Hall. These sessions are open to the public and feel free to bring a brown bag lunch.

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