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March 23, 2007

Friends:
Gaming on the House floor?  Who’d a thunk?  I’ll write again in the middle of next week to update you on the rest of what happened today.  Let’s take another quick poll!  Read the provisions of the gaming bill below, and let me know what you think!

Also, the Topeka and Lawrence stations ran a clip of me on stem cell: http://www.6newslawrence.com/news/2007/mar/22/controversial_topic_brings_out_emotions_statehouse/

Gaming
Floor Activities
Education and Personal Activities
Commerce & Labor
Transportation
Government Efficiency & Technology
Where's Waldo
Kansas Quiz
Resources

Gaming
HCR 5022 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2007_5022.pdf) is a constitutional amendment to change the way the Kansas constitution handles casino gaming.  Currently, the constitution states any gaming entities must be owned by the State.  The lottery is a good example of this.  A constitutional amendment needs 84 votes in the House and 27 votes in the Senate, and then it would go to a statewide vote.
Resolution passed on General Orders 72-50.  I voted YES.  The Final Action vote will be Monday and requires 84 votes to pass.

HCR 5023 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2007_5023.pdf) simply establishes another study commission to look at gaming.  We’ve been researching and “task-forcing” this issue for decades.  The last thing government needs is another task force, whose recommendations we rarely follow (remember Augenblick & Myers?). 
Resolution passed on General Orders 106-16.  I voted NO.

SB 66 (the gaming bill was a “gut-and-go” into this bill, so there’s no link with all the info) has a lot of support and a lot of opposition.  As a result, a variety of complicated procedural motions will be made.  Bear with me as I walk you through it.
Jargon Alert:  An amendment can be offered to a bill that doesn’t just add or subtract from the bill’s text, but completely erases the entire underlying bill and inserts new text into the bill.  This happens frequently with bills that originated in the other chamber, the Senate, because the bill will have already passed the Senate, and if the House guts-and-goes, then passes the bill, the bill goes to conference committee because it already passed the Senate, just in a different form.
There was a motion to “divide the question”, which divides the amendment into easily recognizable parts in an effort to kill the bill by making everyone vote on the bitter pills and the sugar separately, instead of in one big gulp.  The bill was divided into 7 parts.  After we debate the pros and cons of each of those parts, and vote on each part, there will be amendments to change the provisions of the bill as a whole.  Here’s what the bill does right now, BEFORE the 60+ anticipated amendments does the following:
Destination Casinos
•    Three gaming zones:  Northeast (Wyandotte Co.), Southeast (Crawford/Cherokee Co.), and Southcentral (Sedgwick Co. w/1% revenue sharing with Sumner Co.)
o    Counties must approve with a vote.
•    The KS Lottery Commission would be responsible for ownership and operational control and authorized to enter into contracts with gaming managers to manage the casinos and tracks.
o    Management contracts will be a minimum of 15 years and minimum casino investment of $225 million in capital improvements.
o    Minimum 22% revenue for the state
o    3% to local governments
o    2% to problem gaming and addictions fund
Slots @ Tracks
•    2,200 slot machines distributed between the Woodlands, Wichita Greyhound Park, and Camptown
o    County must approve with a vote.
o    40% of slot revenue goes to the state
o    3% to local governments
o    2% to problem gaming and addictions fund
o    Remaining revenues go to purses (horses, greyhounds), operating expenses and management contract.
Where does the money go?
•    Limited to debt reduction (KPERS, bonds, etc.), infrastructure improvements (can be used for deferred maintenance for Regents universities), and Local Ad Valorem Tax Relief (giving money back to cities), which will help localities pass property tax relief to you!
Miscellaneous provisions
•    15-year moratorium on expansion of casinos or more slots.
•    Bill does not initially include a casino or track in Ford County (Dodge City), but there will be an amendment to add them into the bill.
•    Eminent domain, STAR bonds or Tax Increment Financing (TIF) cannot be used.
Again, I’ll update you next week.  We are currently debating the third of seven parts of the gaming bill.  Enjoy your Friday night and think of me!

Floor Activities
HB 2528 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2528.pdf) updates last year’s concealed carry legislation to create uniformity across the state from city to city and county to county.  Many communities in Johnson County and the county government itself had continuing concerns about where guns could be present and where signs could be posted.  The county specifically mentioned parks, tax courts, and county administration buildings where folks are still able to carry weapons (Deanna Rose Farmstead is an example).  Thus, I could not support the bill.
Bill passed the House 107-17.  I voted NO.

HCR 5016 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2007_5016.pdf) directs the KS Board of Education to advise the KS federal delegation and monitor the reauthorization process at the federal level of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), which most folks have been complaining about since its inception.  The resolution recognizes the unrealistic expectations of the Act.  Although a resolution is non-binding, it gives us a voice as changes are being made, and saves time and energy by waiting until federal changes are made before making changes at the state level.
Resolution passed the House 122-2.  I voted YES.

Omnibus DUI bill
Sub SB 35 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/35.pdf) also includes the provisions of HB 2012 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2012.pdf), which was recommended by an interim committee on “Enhanced Penalties for DUI of Alcohol or Drugs”.  If this bill does not convince you not to drink and drive, I don’t know what will.  These penalties include, but are not limited to:
•    Blood-Alcohol Level (BAL) .08 or higher, 1st conviction = current law.  (48 hours imprisonment or 100 hrs community service, fine between $500 and $1000)
o    First refusal to take breathalyzer or blood test = 96 hrs imprisonment or 200 hrs community service
•    BAL .08 or higher = license suspension one year for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th convictions, permanent revocation upon fifth conviction.  Additionally, your time driving with an ignition interlock device after the suspension is over increases with the number of convictions.
•    BAL .15 or higher = License suspension for one year;
o    Plus a minimum of 96 hours to a maximum of one year imprisonment or 200 hours community service;
o    AND a minimum $1K to a maximum $2K fine
•    < 21 first DUI offense = one year license suspension.  BAL .15 or greater will get you a year of driving with an ignition interlock device after the suspension;
•    If you refuse a DUI test and are convicted, after your one year suspension is up, you’ll have another year of driving with an ignition interlock device;
•    DUI convictions with a child in the car increase imprisonment by one month per child in the vehicle;
•    Second and subsequent convictions require any vehicle owned or leased by that person to have an ignition interlock device for two years;
The supplemental note is easier to understand than the bill: http://www.kslegislature.org/supplemental/2008/SN0035.pdf
Bill passed the House 124-0.  I voted YES.

HB 2175 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2175.pdf) would establish building-based budgeting for school districts.  Beyond the fact that streamlining financial systems would cost a fortune, no one can put a number on the cost of this bill, but the proponents are saying upwards of $40 million!  Plus, if you’ve ever had a chance to look at the KSBOE’s website, it’s one of the most user-friendly websites with the deepest depths of detail.  You can compare any expenditure to any school district across the state.  Seriously, just check out one link, there’s a TON of information.  Pick a school district: http://www.ksde.org/Default.aspx?tabid=223
Bill was re-referred to House Government Efficiency & Technology Committee.

Commerce & Labor
We heard and worked the public prompt pay bill (say that three times fast), which I reviewed last week.  SB 333 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/333.pdf) establishes the Kansas Fairness in Public Building Construction Contract Act.  This is similar to SB 33 from a few years ago, and sets out payment requirements for public construction.
Bill passed the committee and is awaiting consideration by the full House.

Transportation
Hearings:
HB 2365 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2365.pdf) allows a member of the Kansas Highway Patrol to hold an elected or appointed position.  When the patrol was established, it was set up by political parties with appointments from each party, but prohibited the election or appointment of patrol members, and prohibited them from contributing to political parties.

Action on:
SB 8 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/8.pdf) doubles fines for speeding in a school zone.
A minor amendment was added to a separate part of the statute on trucks, but does not affect the intent of the bill.  Bill passed the committee and is awaiting consideration by the full House.
SB 9 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/9.pdf) says you cannot watch TV or a movie while driving.  It exempts GPS systems, utility trucks that send/receive data, and commercial vehicles that use screens for purposes related to the vehicle’s operation.  This mostly relates to after-market entertainment systems.  Most video equipment that comes installed is behind the view of the driver.  In fact, those cool new Lexus “I parallel park myself” cars are currently operating their video screens illegally because the statute says cars cannot be “equipped” with these screens.  This bill will also correct that problem.
We repealed the “equipped” section and did not change whether or not you can watch them.  Bill passed the committee and is awaiting consideration by the full House.
Sub HB 2559 (http://www.kslegislature.org/bills/2008/2559.pdf) is the MUT bill (micro-utility truck).  This link is the original version of the bill - the substitute bill won’t be available online for a few days.  We created a substitute bill because there are a number of changes.  They will be issued a non-highway title, and can drive on county roads and city roads with permission of the city.  A number of changes were made, so a substitute bill was drafted.
Bill passed the committee and is awaiting consideration by the full House.

Government Efficiency & Technology
We heard a subcommittee report on recommendations for the Board of Regents and Community Colleges to improve their interconnectivity.

Where's Waldo?
•    Higher Education caucus
•    Johnson County delegation luncheon sponsored by Johnson County Community College (we worked through lunch this day)
•    AFL-CIO meeting
•    National Geographic event.  Check out gorgeous photos of the Flint Hills in the April edition of National Geographic.  Jim Richardson, a Kansas native is the photographer for the project.  Here’s an article: http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2007/mar/11/think_bigger/?editorials_jw
•    Also, while we are at the St. Pat’s parade this weekend, we stopped by the newly remodeled WWI museum, Liberty Memorial.  If you haven’t been, you should definitely go.  It provides great insight into the buildup to the war and the exhibits were extensive and detailed.  Make sure to go on a clear day so you get a better view of the city from the Tower.  Website:  http://www.libertymemorialmuseum.org/
 
Kansas Quiz
Last Week’s Question: Question: This historic road, a memorial to World War I, passed through Kansas.  What was it called?  Over time, it became what highway?  Eventually, sections of this road were incorporated into what highway?  In the early days, what could a traveler expect to find at the Kansas City Camp?  Where was it located?

Answer:  Marci Blanks won AGAIN, and Dave Fairchild was the only other one to answer…  I’ll have to decide about double dipping for winners!  The historic road in Kansas was mostly route 40, and was called Victory Highway.  It was established as a memorial to those who fought and died in WWI.  Parts of it became I-70.
The Kansas City camp was at 29th and State and had a hot shower, kitchen & electric stoves, laundry & restrooms, shade and grass!! http://www.route40.net/library/maps/hobbs/hobbs-22.shtml

Email my session assistant, Mary Koles at maryk@house.state.ks.us to answer the question.  The first correct answer received to that address will win a prize, and recognition with the correct answer in next week’s Sharp Record.

Question: Name the familiar tune that woke up Captain America one morning in the 1970s when he was far, far away from home on an historic mission.  Also, identify Captain America, the mission, and how most Kansans know this song.

Resources
Find your long lost CASH!!! http://www.kansascash.com/prodweb/up/disclaimer_page.php
Keep Kansas Sharp Blog:  www.keepkansassharp.blogspot.com
Kansas Legislature:  http://www.kslegislature.org
KS Ethics Commission:  http://www.kansas.gov/ethics/
KS Legislative Research:  http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html
Johnson County Election Office - www.jocoelection.org
Spring Primary Election information:
Voter Look-Up:  See your sample ballot!
Advance Voting starts March 27th:
    * March 27 - March 30
          Tuesday - Friday     9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
    * March 31
          Saturday     9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
    * April 2
          Monday     9:00 a.m. to noon

Johnson County Statehouse Hotline!  Call Topeka for free – 913-715-5000 and ask to speak with your Representative or Senator.

Next week’s committee schedule:  See anything of interest to you? 
House Agenda: http://www.kslegislature.org/agstat/2007/ha0202.pdf
Senate Agenda: http://www.kslegislature.org/agstat/2007/sa0202.pdf

Please do not hesitate to contact me about these or any other issues of interest to you.  I appreciate the opportunity to represent you in Topeka.

Rep. Stephanie Sharp
17th District, Kansas House
Serving Lenexa and Shawnee
www.stephaniesharp.com
Home:  913-894-1201

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