9 May 2005
Governor Sebelius signs nine bills into law
Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed nine bills into law. During the 2005 session, she signed 172 bills and vetoed four. Only those bills passed during veto session await her signature. Thus far, the Governor has signed 12 bills passed during the veto session.
Honoring World War II veterans
HB 2338 authorizes the Kansas State Historical Society to provide grants to non-profit groups, state and private colleges and universities, and state or local historical agencies to record the experiences of Kansas residents who are veterans of World War II. The bill allows the State Historical Society to award competitive grants to groups to develop and implement programs to record the experiences of World War II veterans.
Protecting wildlife, strengthens fines and penalties
HB 2253 creates new fines and penalties, in addition to the current penalty of a class C misdemeanor for repeat violations of the wildlife laws as follows: for a second conviction a minimum fine of $250; for a third conviction a minimum fine of $300; and for a fourth and any subsequent convictions a minimum fine of $400 and imprisonment in the county jail for not less than 7 days. No conviction occurring prior to July 1, 2005, will be considered for purpose of the new fines and penalties. In addition, fines and penalties for violations of wildlife and parks laws dealing with big game or turkey permits and game tags; taking big game or wild turkey during a closed season; or using an unlawful method as outlined by the bill; possessing any wildlife unlawfully killed outside the state; causing the shipment within, from, or into the state of any illegally taken or possessed wildlife; or taking big game or wild turkey on posted land will be increased as follows: for a first or second conviction, a minimum fine of $500 and a maximum of $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.
Expanding the crime of unlawful sexual relations
HB 2386 expands the provisions of the crime of unlawful sexual relations by adding Court Services Officers, Community Corrections Officers, and employees of a contractor who provides supervision services for persons under Court Services or Community Corrections supervision to the list of offenders of this crime. The bill requires the offender have knowledge the person with whom the offender is engaging in specific interactions as defined in the bill is currently under the supervision of court services or community corrections. The bill also adds definition of “community corrections,” “court services,” and “law enforcement officer.”
Updating federal funds provisions for wildlife and parks
HB 2116 pertains to the disposition of federal moneys by the Department of Wildlife and Parks. The bill establishes four new statutory funds into which federal moneys will be deposited. The bill establishes the statutory purposes for which expenditures are to be made by the Department of Wildlife and Parks from federal funds subject to appropriations by the Legislature.
Modifying Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
SB 151 amends a statute dealing with the Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement in regard to escrow payments made by nonparticipating manufacturers and the amount of money placed in escrow by these manufacturers that can be released back to them. SB 151 requires non-participating manufacturers to place and keep in escrow the same amount of money that participating manufacturers pay to the state.
Creating the Commercial Real Estate Broker Lien Act
SB 215 enacts the Commercial Real Estate Broker Lien Act and sets up regulations for all parties involved in the lien.
Updating water storage payments
HB 2108 amends the Water Plan Storage Act to adjust the rates for the withdrawal and use of water by Water Marketing Program participants. The bill bases the operation, maintenance, and repair costs portion on estimated costs for the upcoming year rather than costs from the preceding year. The bill also changes the depreciation reserve cost portion so it is annually determined by the Kansas Water Authority as an amount necessary to meet the capital development and maintenance plan. Further, the bill allows for direct payment of administration and enforcement costs from the Water Marketing Fund.
Clarifying legal holidays
HB 2262 amends a provision of the Civil Procedure Code regarding legal holidays which now include those designated by Congress or the Legislature also to include any day observed as a holiday by order of the Supreme Court or the Governor. The Senate Committee added the provision by order of the Governor.
Reconciling Kansas statutes
HB 2537 is the 2005 reconciliation bill, which amends the references in statute to laws passed during the 2005 session to ensure they are accurate and complete.
