Tag Archives: memo

State Water Plan Fund, Kansas Water Authority, and the State Water Plan

The State Water Plan Fund (SWPF) is a statutory fund (KSA 2023 Supp. 82a-951) created by the 1989 Legislature for the purpose of implementing the State Water Plan (KSA 2023 Supp. 82a-903, et seq.). The SWPF is subject to appropriation acts by the Legislature and may be used for the establishment and implementation of water-related projects or programs and related technical assistance. Funding from the SWPF may not be used to replace full-time equivalent (FTE) positions or for recreational projects that do not meet the goals or objectives of the State Water Plan.

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.

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.

Career Technical Education in Kansas

In 2012, enacted SB 155 launched a new plan to enhance career technical education (CTE) in Kansas with the purpose of better preparing high school students for college and careers. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year, Kansas high school students could qualify for free college tuition in approved technical courses offered at Kansas technical and community colleges. The program also initially provided school districts with a $1,000 incentive for each high school student who graduated from that district with an industry-recognized credential in a high-need occupation.

Vaccine Mandates Affecting Kansas Health Care Personnel

KSA 76-147 allows the The Kansas Board of Regents (Board) to acquire land for building or utility construction; however, there is no required notification to the Legislature in taking this action, nor is there a statute regarding the acquisition of buildings. The Board policy states that state universities may acquire real property necessary to properly maintain and carry on a state university or the business thereof.

Capital Improvements and Deferred Maintenance in Higher Education

KSA 76-147 allows the The Kansas Board of Regents (Board) to acquire land for building or utility construction; however, there is no required notification to the Legislature in taking this action, nor is there a statute regarding the acquisition of buildings. The Board policy states that state universities may acquire real property necessary to properly maintain and carry on a state university or the business thereof.

Department of Commerce

The Kansas Department of Commerce (Department) serves as the State’s lead economic development agency. Under the Secretary of Commerce, there are six program groups: Administration, Business Development, Workforce Services, Community Development, International Business, and Tourism. This memo, while not exhaustive, summarizes the variety of programming and services designed to stimulate economic growth in Kansas.