Week of February 28 to March 4, 2022
Jim Karleskint
We have started the 2nd half of the 2022 Legislative Session. There weren’t many bills passed in the House this week. Most of the work that took place with House members was in committees. Some bills were given hearings and information shared with House Committee members. The work in the Senate was somewhat similar to that of the House till late on Thursday. Late Thursday afternoon saw the Senate get into a tax cut frenzy. Some of the cuts include:
- Targeted income tax credit for aerospace and aviation workers.
- Provide for a tax credit for up to $250 per year for teachers that pay for classroom expenses out of their own pockets.
- Move from $20,000 to $65,000 property tax exemption for homeowners from the statewide 20 mill levy used to help finance schools.
- Give seniors and disabled veterans an option to freeze property taxes at the 2021 levels. This would be for those with a household income of less than $50,000 a year, and their residences are valued at less than $350,000.
- Final action has not been taken on this legislation at this time.
There are many education bills that have been passed by committees in both the House and Senate that have yet to be give consideration on the respective floors of the legislature. Things could start happening next week.
Looking ahead to next week on some of the issues that pertain to education.
Monday, March 7
Senate Federal & State Affairs-Hearing on SB 522
Standardizing firearm safety education training programs in school districts. Bill would allow schools to have firearm safety programs and directs State Board of Education to establish curriculum guidelines.
Senate Education-Hearing on SB 484
Enacting the fairness in women’s sports act to require that student athletic teams only include members who are of the same biological sex unless designated as coed.
House K-12 Education Budget-Hearing on SB 362
Requiring local boards of education to document and consider the school needs assessment and state assessments in the budget process.
Note: Following the hearing on this bill in the Senate there was work done with KSDE, USA Leadership and others to come to an acceptable agreement for parties involved. G. A. Buie discussed this at the Council of Superintendents meeting on Thursday, March 3rd.
Tuesday, March 8
Senate Education-Hearing on SB 455
Allowing K-12 students to transfer to and attend school in any district in the state. This bill is nearly identical to the one heard in the House.
House Tax-Hearing on HB 2724
Excluding the required 20 mills for school districts from the notice and public hearing requirements to exceed the revenue neutral rate for property tax purposes. Note: This bill deals with a fix to SB 13 from last year which included schools in the revenue neutral rate. There will be 3 Superintendents testifying as proponents on this bill on Tuesday. They also testified on SB 13 last year.
Wednesday, March 9
Senate Federal & State Affairs-Hearing on SB 532
Allowing candidate’s for nonpartisan offices to have such candidate’s political party provided with the candidate’s name on the ballot.
Senate Education-continued hearing on SB 455
Continued from Tuesday.
Thursday, March 10
Senate Assessment and Taxation-Hearing on SCR 1620
Proposing a constitutional amendment to require a supermajority for passage of certain bills containing new or increased state taxes.
Senate Education-Hearing on SB 528
Requiring school districts to provide a reimbursement to teachers for classroom supplies. Note: Due to action on the Senate floor on Thursday, March 3 this bill may be pulled from the calendar.
This concludes the schedule for bills that pertain to education as of Friday, March 4. There could be additions as the week progresses. There are many things for the legislature yet to complete. The biggest are the budget and tax consideration. When I know something, I will let you know. As always, if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask. Have a great week.
