Governor signs bill establishing ‘Gold Star Mother’ license plates
Specialized plate available to mother whose child died while on active duty

Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed HB 2691, establishing a ‘Gold Star Mother’ license plate available to mothers of soldiers who died in active duty.

“Each of these license plates represents the loss of a soldier,” Sebelius said. “I hope they will serve as a constant reminder of ultimate sacrifice these sons and daughters have made.”

Kansas is the 23rd state to begin issuing ‘Gold Star Mother’ license plates.

Governor Sebelius signed an additional 9 bills today, bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2008 Legislative Session to 59. One bill has been vetoed. 

Requiring Internet Service Providers to Contribute to Service Fund

SB 49 requires interconnected VoIP (internet telephony) service providers to contribute to the Kansas Universal Service Fund (KUSF). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that interconnected VoIP providers benefit from their access to the interconnected wireline network, and therefore interconnected VoIP providers should contribute to the preservation of that network.

Requiring Kansas Sentencing Commission to Project Juvenile Prison Populations

SB 418 requires the Kansas Sentencing Commission (KSC) to annually produce the juvenile correctional facility population projections. Current law is silent as to who is responsible for the juvenile population projections.

Amending Law on Notice of Filing of Foreign Judgment

SB 423 amends current law on notice of filing of a foreign judgment. The bill would require the judgment creditor or the judgment creditor’s lawyer to mail a notice of filing of the foreign judgment to the judgment debtor.

Concerning the Distribution of Oil and Gas Payments

SB 424 amends current law regarding payments made after the sale of an oil or gas lease where an owner cannot be found. The bill would require future production proceeds, or other benefits paid under the oil and gas lease, be retained by the oil and gas purchasing company. The oil and gas purchasing company would be required to hold the funds until ordered by the court to distribute the funds or required to be distributed under the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act.

Establishing Rights of Public Servants

SB 438 would prohibit an employer from terminating any employee because the employee serves as a volunteer firefighter, volunteer certified emergency medical services attendant, volunteer reserve law enforcement officer, or volunteer part-time law enforcement officer.

Allowing Insurance Commissioner to Reject Contract

SB 465 allows the Insurance Commissioner to disapprove a filed insurance or indemnity contract because the contract does not comply with Kansas law.

Allowing the Conduction of Field Trials without a Permit

SB 474 allows field trials to be conducted on a licensed controlled shooting area without a permit. In addition, a non-resident who is participating in a field trial for dogs would not have to have a hunting license if the field trial is not conducted on a controlled shooting area.

Prohibiting Certain Residency Restrictions

SB 536 amends current law prohibiting cities and counties from adopting or enforcing offender residency restrictions by removing the sunset date, exempting city and county zoning programs for correctional placement residences, and clarifying the definition of correctional placement residence.

# # #