Gov. Laura Kelly on Monday signed eight more bills, bringing to 22 the number of pieces of legislation that she has signed into law this year.
So far, she has vetoed four bills, including two on Monday. She has been overridden twice so far, with the Legislature scheduled to return April 10 for more veto override votes.
There are now 54 bills awaiting her signature (or veto).
On Monday, she governor signed:
Senate Bill 36: Increases the cap on the amount of money conservation districts can receive from the division of conservation and increases the amount of matching dollars the state can provide conservation districts. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and 119-2 in the House. Under SB 36, the matching basis for state moneys disbursed to conservation districts will be based on amounts allocated by the board of county commissioners for such districts. This bill doubles the amount of money conservation districts can receive from $25,000 to $50,000 and makes matching dollars a $2 division contribution for every $1 from counties to match the funds allocated by county commissioners.
Senate Bill 6: Reaffirms current law prohibiting the use of ranked-choice voting methods for conducting elections. The bill passed 30-10 in the Senate and 86-37 in the House.
Senate Bill 58: Modifies the requirements and allocations for multiyear flex accounts, providing for additional flexibilities to maximize the efficiency of water usage and conservation. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and 119-2 in the House.
House Bill 2254: Ensures Kansas milk producers are financially protected by requiring milk processors to hold payments in trust for producers until full payment is received. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
House Bill 2085: Extends the expiration of permits issued under the water pollution control permit system from five to 10 years. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
House Bill 2166: Continues existing exceptions to the disclosure of public records under the open records act pertaining to sensitive personal medical information. The bill passed unanimously in both chambers.
House Bill 2182: Clarifies that victims shall not be charged a fee for service of process by a sheriff’s office under the Kansas protection order acts, with the goal of ensuring that the fee does not deter victims from pursuing a protection order for their safety. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and 118-1 in the House.
House Bill 2238: Directs legislative administrative services to prepare all committee minutes. Passed unanimously in the House and 39-1 in the Senate.
