Tag Archives: Briefing Book 2023

Medical Marijuana

Jordan MilhollandManaging Research AnalystJordan.Milholland@klrd.ks.gov785-296-3923 Leighann ThoneResearch AnalystLeighann.Thone@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4181 Medical marijuana use is legal in 37 states and the District of Columbia. Recreational use of marijuana is legal in 21 states and the District of Columbia. In recent years, several bills were introduced to legalize medical or recreational marijuana use in Kansas. Legislation that would have legalizedContinue reading “Medical Marijuana”

COVID-19 Federal Relief Funds – Discretionary

Murl RiedelSenior Fiscal AnalystMurl.Riedel@klrd.ks.gov785-296-3184 Amy DeckardAssistant Director for Fiscal AffairsAmy.Deckard@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4429 The federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 allocates $1.6 billion from the federal State Fiscal Recovery (SFR) Fund to the State of Kansas for discretionary purposes. ARPA provides the following allowable uses: Responding to the COVID-19 public health emergency or its negative economicContinue reading “COVID-19 Federal Relief Funds – Discretionary”

Administration of Water in Kansas

The administration of water in Kansas – generally regarding its allocation, cleanliness, and availability – is, for the most part, divided among three state agencies: The following state agencies and entities have limited roles in the administration of water: Adjutant General’s OfficeDepartment of CommerceDivision of Conservation, KDABureau of Environmental Field Services, KDHEBureau of Environmental Remediation,Continue reading “Administration of Water in Kansas”

Medication Abortion

Elaina RudderResearch AnalystElaina.Rudder@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4395 Leighann ThoneResearch AnalystLeighann.Thone@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4181 Medication abortion, also referred to as medical abortion or the abortion pill, is a pregnancy termination method that involves the use of two medications. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) first approved medication abortion in 2000. In 2016, the FDA approved a new evidence-based regimen and drug label,Continue reading “Medication Abortion”

COVID-19 Federal Relief Funds – Update

Murl RiedelSenior Fiscal AnalystMurl.Riedel@klrd.ks.gov785-296-3184 Amy DeckardAssistant Director for Fiscal AffairsAmy.Deckard@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4429 This article provides a general overview of COVID-19 federal relief funds. Entities in Kansas are estimated to receive over $34.2 billion in federal relief in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through legislation that includes the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020,Continue reading “COVID-19 Federal Relief Funds – Update”

Cotton in Kansas

Heather O’HaraPrincipal Research AnalystHeather.O’Hara@klrd.ks.gov785-296-7792 Meredith FryResearch AnalystMeredith.Fry@klrd.ks.gov785-296-7882 Cotton Production in Kansas Cotton was introduced in Kansas in the 19th century. Though it has never been a mainstream crop in the state’s agriculture sector, Kansas currently ranks 14th nationwide in cotton production. Additionally, production has been steadily increasing. Since 1996, cotton production and ginning in theContinue reading “Cotton in Kansas”

Sale and Delivery of To-Go Drinks and Direct Shipment of Alcohol

Leighann ThoneResearch AnalystLeighann.Thone@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4181 Jordan MilhollandManaging Research AnalystJordan.Milholland@klrd.ks.gov785-296-3923 Since 2020, 33 states and the District of Columbia (D.C.) have passed legislation related to alcohol delivery, to-go drinks, and direct shipment of alcohol. Sale and Delivery of To-Go Drinks Prior to March 2020, no state had explicit laws governing to-go orders or delivery of alcoholic drinks fromContinue reading “Sale and Delivery of To-Go Drinks and Direct Shipment of Alcohol”

Docking State Office Building Renovation

Martin de BoerFiscal AnalystMartin.deBoer@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4439 Shirley MorrowPrincipal Fiscal AnalystShirley.Morrow@klrd.ks.gov785-296-3542 This article details recent developments regarding the Docking State Office Building (Docking Building), located at 915 SW Harrison Street in Topeka. It was built in 1954 to provide office and meeting space for state employees. Underneath the structure is an energy center that services buildings in theContinue reading “Docking State Office Building Renovation”

Western Water Issues

Elaina RudderResearch AnalystElaina.Rudder@klrd.ks.gov785-296-4395 Heather O’HaraPrincipal Research AnalystHeather.O’Hara@klrd.ks.gov785-296-7792 Water Shortage Declared On August 16, 2021, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) declared the first-ever official water shortage on the Colorado River. This declaration triggered significant mandatory water cuts in the Colorado River Basin. While Kansas is not part of the Colorado River Basin, it does haveContinue reading “Western Water Issues”