April 13, 2006
Sebelius acts to enhance disaster preparedness
Bill creates Emergency Mutual Aid Act, is among seven public safety bills signed
Kansas is all too familiar with natural disasters, and communities in need often turn to their neighbors for assistance in an emergency.
To help Kansas communities protect their citizens, Governor Kathleen Sebelius today signed into law the Kansas Intrastate Emergency Mutual Aid Act.
“We get our share of bad weather here in Kansas, and there’s always the potential for a man-made emergency. We’ve seen time and again the importance of cooperation in times of crisis. This action will help increase our preparedness and protect Kansas residents by making it easier for responders to assist one another,” Governor Sebelius said.
This bill, HB 2982, creates The Kansas Intrastate Emergency Mutual Aid Act. It provides for a system of intrastate mutual aid between participating political subdivisions in cases of declared disasters, as well as during drills and exercises in preparation for such disasters. The Division of Emergency Management in the Adjutant General’s Department will develop comprehensive guidelines and procedures for implementation of the Act.
In 2005, Governor Sebelius signed Executive Order 05-03, which adopts the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the state standard for incident management. One of the goals of NIMS is the use of mutual aid compacts such as this one to expedite the sharing of assistance during a disaster or emergency.
This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Today, Governor Sebelius also signed six other bills into law. To date, the Governor has signed 106 bills and vetoed two during the 2006 Legislative Session.
Creating the VoIP Enhanced 911 Act
HB 2590 enacts the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Enhanced 911 Act, establishing requirements for providers of VoIP services regarding transmission of emergency 911 calls to Public Safety Answering Points. It also authorizes collection of fees to ensure PSAPs that receive emergency 911 phone calls can reliably locate callers. Improvements required by PSAPs for VoIP enhanced 911 service will be financed from a combination of grants and local fee revenue. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Extend sunset provision on law concerning owners of anhydrous ammonia
HB 2798 extends the sunset provision from July 1, 2006 to July 1, 2016 on current law providing that owners of anhydrous ammonia are not held liable or subject to a lawsuit for any negligent act which may cause personal injury, death, or other loss to a third party. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Clarifying authorization for use of National Guard, militia or other military organizations
HB 2966 clarifies the authority of the Governor to order into service any active or retired member of the National Guard. The bill expands the list of circumstances in which the Governor is authorized to order the National Guard, militia or other military organizations of the state into service to include supporting the Adjutant General’s Department during a local, state and national disaster or mission. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Adjutant General’s Department to reimburse for health insurance costs for KNG members
HB 2967 makes a technical correction to legislation passed in 2005 and allows the Adjutant General’s Department to reimburse political subdivisions for the cost of health insurance for members of the Kansas National Guard who are activated for state active duty beyond 30 days. The State Finance Council would provide funds for this purpose. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
Requiring proper notification, drivers’ licenses and lights for school buses to ensure safety
HB 2513 requires courts to notify the Division of Vehicles when the court determines that a person has complied with the terms of a traffic citation, when a person has been convicted of an offense involving the operation of a motor vehicle, when a person has had his or her bail or bond forfeited, when a person has been convicted of manslaughter that involved a vehicle and upon final disposition of an appeal. This bill will bring Kansas into compliance with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration reporting requirements regarding commercial drivers’ licenses. This bill also requires the use of strobe lights on new school buses put into service after July 1, 2007 and retrofitted on all other school buses after July 1, 2009. The light would be placed on the roof of the school bus to afford maximum visibility. This bill will take effect on July 1, 2007 after publication in the statute book.
Capitol Area Security Patrol changed to Capitol Police
HB 2329 deletes all statutory references to the “Capitol Area Security Patrol” and replaces them with the term “Capitol Police”. This bill will take effect after publication in the statute book.
