The 2020 Kansas legislative year ended last week with a special two-day session, which was called by Gov. Laura Kelly. Discussion was limited to House Bill 2016 (the COVID-19 bill, and it finally passed with nearly 90 percent support.
There are parts of the bill legislators did not like and parts the governor didn’t like, which means it's probably a good bill. A compromise was reached between the governor and the legislature on emergency powers and on spending the new federal COVID-19 dollars. Oversight of those dollars and the governor's emergency powers will be the responsibility of the State Finance Council. Members include: the governor as chairperson, House Speaker, Senate President, House Majority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Ways and Means Committee chairperson and the House Appropriations Committee chairperson.
The State Finance Council will control federal funds to all counties, except Johnson and Sedgwick. Those counties each have more than 500,000 residents and will receive funds directly. Currently, the projected amount is $1.2 billion for 103 counties and with Johnson County and Sedgwick County to receive $119 million and $99 million, respectively. There are numerous restrictions on the funds, which leaves many local governments in very precarious financial situations.
HB 2016 was 88 pages in length, much longer than is typical for a bill. Legislators received it only a few hours before being asked to vote. The established committee process isn’t perfect, but it provides an opportunity for more detailed discussion. We passed only nine bills this legislative session for many reasons, and the huge one at the end is very important and contains changes which will impact every Kansan. The COVID-19 bill needed to be considered for weeks to analyze the details, but time had expired and a decision had to be made. I voted “yes" and will work this next year to gather information and recommend major changes to the process.
Under requirements of the bill, the governor must seek state Board of Education approval for significant closure of public schools. Kansas was the first state to close public schools due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. This upset some legislators, who wanted to leave closure decisions in the hands of local school boards. Their efforts failed and we will be united statewide when closing schools is necessary.
Exemptions from liability for COVID-19 injury were provided to most industries when CDC guidelines have been followed. Special liability for nursing homes and community colleges was not included. There was a strong pushback from the nursing homes, but to no avail. The debate was lively and sometimes heated.
Family farmers can access funds through Kansas Farmers Union, which partnered with Missouri Farmers Union to provide emergency relief grants. These are used to pay household expenses. Farming has always been a volatile business, but the current situation is the most critical and stressful in my lifetime.
The State of Kansas is projected to have a $600 Million deficit for FY 2021, which runs from July 1, 2020, to June 30, 2021. We left the governor to make the necessary cuts when the deficit goes below zero. Those cuts will not be popular and budgeted funds will be gone with the stroke of a pen. The Senate President and Senate Majority Leader are not seeking re-election, so those lame ducks will be deciding major fiscal fund issues. The two leaders were a major source of legislative struggles this year. This is the first time in history the state and country is out of money, and I’m hoping for no political posturing. However, that has not been what we have witnessed.