Category Archives: Publications

Costs of and Laws to Reduce Distracted Driving

This memorandum provides information on restrictions on use of electronic devices while driving in the laws of all states and the District of Columbia. It also summarizes costs of distracted driving in Kansas, state laws prohibiting distracted driving in general, the specific activities or actions the state laws prohibit, exemptions to device-use bans, and applicable fines and other penalties.

Report of the J. Russell (Russ) Jennings Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The 1997 Legislature created the Joint Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice Oversight to provide legislative oversight of the Kansas Department of Corrections (KDOC) and the Juvenile Justice Authority. Pursuant to Executive Reorganization Order No. 42, on July 1, 2013, the jurisdiction, powers, functions, and duties of the Juvenile Justice Authority and the Commissioner of Juvenile Justice were transferred to KDOC and the Secretary of Corrections.

Telehealth Advances and Status Update After the Public Health Emergency

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in early 2020, both the federal government and the State of Kansas responded by issuing orders to waive regulations pertaining to telehealth to ease the access to medical care for individuals, in light of social distancing measures to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. This memorandum provides an overview of the federal government changes to telehealth regulations, the Kansas telehealth regulations, the Kansas telehealth flexibilities initiated as they relate to the KanCare program and executive orders, and other flexibilities related to prescriptions and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) patient communications.

Report of the Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments and Benefits to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Joint Committee on Pensions, Investments and Benefits was created in 1992 and is authorized by KSA 2023 Supp. 46-2201 to:
● Monitor, review, and make recommendations relative to investment policies and objectives formulated by the Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS or the Retirement System) Board of Trustees (Board);
● Review and make recommendations related to KPERS benefits;
● Consider and make recommendations on the confirmation of members nominated by the Governor to serve on the Board; and
● Introduce legislation it determines to be necessary.

Report of the Special Committee on Child Care Centers and Child Care Homes to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Committee is directed to study regulations and policy options for child care centers and child care homes, including day care regulation, licensing procedures, and other programs and policies.
Recommend changes to ensure such services and facilities are appropriately regulated and
available to meet the needs of Kansans, including those entering the workforce. Solicit testimony from the Governor’s Early Childhood Transition Task Force and state
agencies involved in the regulation of day care facilities and ongoing reform efforts.
Solicit testimony from parents, day care providers, licensees, businesses, and community members on the availability of day care and regulatory burdens.
Solicit testimony from regulatory agencies in other states that have different child-to-caregiver
ratios and regulatory requirements to identify any safety concerns.

Report of the Joint Committee on State Building Construction to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Joint Committee on State Building Construction was established during the 1978 Legislative Session. The Special Committee on Ways and Means recommended the bill creating the Committee, 1978 HB 2722, as a result of its interim study of state building construction procedures.

Report of the Joint Committee on Information Technology to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Joint Committee on Information Technology has statutory duties assigned by its authorizing legislation in KSA 46-2101 et seq. The Committee may set its own agenda, meet on call of its Chairperson at any time and any place within the state, and introduce legislation. The Committee consists of ten members: five senators and five representatives.

Report of the Special Committee on Foreign Adversary Investments and Land Purchases to the 2024 Kansas Legislature

The Legislative Coordinating Council (LCC) directed the Special Committee on Foreign Adversary Investments and Land Purchases to study preventative law and rules and regulations concerning land purchases and investments by foreign adversaries and to review and make recommendations regarding the procedures for monitoring and updating the list of foreign adversaries.