| Voting Record Bill Explanations |
| Bill Number |
Description |
Effect on Business |
| EDUCATION |
| HB 2937 |
HB 2937 was the House Republican Leadership plan to increase education funding. The bill did not contain any tax increases, but did increase funding for bilingual and at-risk students. The
bill also contained an increase for local control and cost of living. The funding would come from a $25
million dollar transfer in existing funds and $40 million generated through local efforts. |
The
chamber supported this bill. Although some felt that the plan did not address the funding needs adequately,
it did offer benefits in local control urged by the chamber. |
| HB 2940 |
The "Neighbor-Kassebaum" plan for education funding consisted of an increase of $100 per pupil in base state aid,
and an increase in bilingual and at-risk weighting. Special education would be fully funded. This plan also contained a 5% increase in the local option budget. Funding
would come through an increase in sales tax and an income tax surcharge. |
Although portions of this plan contained increases in sales and income taxes, the chamber supported this plan as a
significant enhancement for schools. This bill was widely supported by the school districts and allowed for an increase in local control. |
| SB 403 |
Governor
Sebelius' State of the State "Education First" plan. This proposal would have increased education
funding by $300 million over the next 3 years. This plan would give additional funds to bilingual and
at-risk funding, as well as base state aid. The plan would be funded by a .2% sales tax, a 5% income tax
surcharge, and a two point mill levy increase. |
The chamber opposed this plan because Johnson County would pay a large amount of the funds and receive little in return. There was no inclusion of local option increases. |
| ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/BUSINESS |
| CCR on SB 384 |
This bill would finalize the funding for the 1999 Comprehensive Transportation Program (C.T.P.) by raising $395 million in
sales tax revenues over three years and allow for $150 million of additional funding in bonds. This funding
is secured by transfer of .2% of sales tax revenues and the issuance of additional bonding authority. |
The
chamber supported this bill. Completion of local projects included in the 1999 C.T.P. are essential to
maintain the state's economic health, job growth, public safety and quality of life. |
| SB 441 |
Workers' Compensation Reform. This bill would have established a date of
accident in non-traumatic workers when an injury develops over an extended amount of time. |
The chamber supported this bill because it would have helped to clarify the law and potentially lowered the cost of doing
business in Kansas. |
| S Sub for Sub HB 2647 |
Creation of the Bioscience Authority. This bill was a component of the Kansas
Economic Growth Act. It would potentially place Kansas as a national leader in the field of life and
biosciences. This bill also included measures on entrepreneurship initiatives, the ANGEL investor program,
downtown redevelopment and rural economic development. |
The
chamber supported this bill. It was considered by many as the highlight of the session. It is expected to be powerful legislation to grow the Kansas economy, leading to additional jobs and revenue. |
| CCR on SB 29 |
This bill would update the Kansas Corporate Code to mirror the Delaware Corporate Code, which has been the model for Kansas. |
The
chamber supported this bill because it will help to keep the laws of Kansas competitive with other states. |
| CCR on H Sub for SB 395 |
STAR bond legislation. This bill expands the language of the law to allow other
economic development projects an opportunity to be eligible for funding through STAR bonds, and solves problems associated with the use of STAR bonds
and destination-sourcing. The intent of the legislation is also to avoid STAR bonds being used for the
purchase of personal property. |
The chamber supported this bill because it gives Overland Park an opportunity to use STAR bonds as a funding mechanism in
future projects. |
| HB 2764 |
Tort reform bill. This bill would amend Kansas class action statutes, allowing
for interlocutory appeal of a class certification. The measure would allow defendants to appeal the
classification order before trial begins, rather than waiting for a final ruling. |
The chamber supported this bill because it helps lower costs in litigation. No
party is injured from this bill, it merely expedites the process. |
| SB 547 |
This
bill would place a limitation on exercise of eminent domain. It would have barred the use of eminent domain
for any economic development project. |
The chamber opposed this bill because the judicious use of eminent domain is sometimes needed as a tool for major economic
development projects. |
| TAXES |
| SB 325 |
The original bill was a reinstatement of the sales tax exemption for custom computer software, which was later included in SB
147. During debate, Senator Pugh offered an amendment to repeal the Streamline Sales tax, and all of its
components, including destination-sourcing. |
The chamber opposed the bill to repeal the Streamline Sales Tax because we would fall out of the national compact. This compact is a way to level the playing field for businesses and capture out-of-state revenue from internet
sales. |
| CCR on H Sub for SB 147 |
Omnibus Tax Bill. This bill contained three tax issues that were on the
chamber's legislative agenda. This bill delayed the implementation of destination-sourcing until January 1,
2005, reinstatement of the sales tax on custom computer software and reduced the franchise fee rate in Kansas from $2 to $1.25 per every $1000 of net
worth, but raised the cap to $20,000. There was also an exemption for businesses valued under $100,000. |
The chamber supported the delay of implementation of destination-sourcing and reinstatement of the custom computer software
exemption. The chamber was neutral on the changes in the franchise fee.
The OPCC supported the lowering of the rate, but opposed a raise in the cap. |
| HB 2599 |
This bill would have delayed the implementation of the Streamline Sales Tax until Congress gives authorization. During the debate, an amendment was offered to repeal the Streamline Sales tax. |
The chamber opposed the bill to repeal the Streamline Sales Tax because we would fall out of the national compact. This compact is a way to level the playing field for businesses and capture out-of-state revenue from internet
sales. |
| CCR on H Sub for Sub SB 153 |
The
Enhanced 911 bill. This bill would establish a state-wide system that would allow cell phone users to call
911 for an emergency. An increase of 50 cents a month for cell phone users would pay for the system that
can determine their geographic location. |
Although the system already exists in Johnson County, it is still needed in other parts of the state. The chamber did not take a position on this bill. |
| OTHER ISSUES |
| HB 2798 |
The personal and
family protection act. This bill would allow for concealed carry of firearms. |
The chamber has consistently opposed concealed carry bills as a policy for business and this bill gave little relief for
businesses to enforce bans on concealed weapons. |
| CCR on H Sub for SB 2 |
Sunday liquor sales. This bill would have made Kansas Liquor laws uniform again
after a Supreme Court ruling. It would have given cities the power to decide if they would allow Sunday sales of liquor. |
Although it would address current border discrepancies and increase liquor tax revenues, the chamber did not take a position
on this bill. |
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