2022 Legislative Update 6

Ad Astra Lawsuit Filed

On Monday, February 14 two lawsuits were filed over the gerrymandered Ad Astra map. The suits claim the map contradicts the Kansas Constitution and the Legislature’s redistricting guidelines. Both lawsuits were filed on behalf of 16 residents in Wyandotte, Johnson and Douglas counties -- arguably the counties with the most blatant gerrymandering.

In the Press:

• Groups file suit over Republican-authored congressional maps in state court, arguing racial, partisan gerrymandering, Topeka Capital-Journal, 02/14/2022
• Kansas redistricting map dilutes voices of minority voters, ACLU charges in newly filed lawsuit, KCUR, 02/14/2022
• Voting rights groups launch court battle over new Kansas congressional map, Kansas Reflector, 02/14/2022
• Democrats, ACLU sue over new Kansas congressional districts, Associated Press, 02/14/2022

Proposed Constitutional Amendment Defeated?

A call of the House did not garner the 2/3rds votes required to pass HCR 5014. The proposed Constitutional Amendment would have allowed legislative veto of Rules and Regulations. This upsets the balance between the branches of government and there are statutory ways to deal with issues that might arise.

Legislation Passed by the House

• HB 2489: Amending provisions of the technology-enabled fiduciary financial institutions act relating to fees and assessments, examinations, disclosures to consumers and requiring such institutions to be mandatory reporters for purposes of elder abuse. Passed by the House 120-0. 
• HB 2537: Requiring the insurance department to hold a hearing in cases involving an order under the Kansas administrative procedure act. Passed by the House 120-0.
• SB 337: Converting the conditional charter issued for the pilot program under the technology-enabled fiduciary financial institutions act to a full fiduciary financial institution charter. Passed 119-1. 
• HCR 5014: Proposing a constitutional amendment that provides for legislative oversight of rules and regulations adopted by executive branch agencies and officials. Passed by the House 77-42. Failed to reach ⅔ majority in Final Action vote, 80-33.
• HB 2540: Authorizing the construction of a memorial honoring Kansas gold star families. Passed by the House 113-0. 
• HB 2458: Designating a portion of U.S. highway 56 as the PFC Shane Austin memorial highway. Passed by the House 113-0.
• HB 2476: Providing for the silver star and bronze star distinctive license plates. Passed by the House 113-0. 
• HB 2478: Designating a portion of United States highway 166 as the SGT Evan S Parker memorial highway. Passed by the House 113-0. 
• HB 2591: Repealing the state general fund and conservation fee fund transfers to the abandoned oil and gas well fund. Passed by the House 112-0.
• HB 2560: Extending certain penalties, fees and maximum amounts of fees and the expiration dates of certain programs of the Kansas department of agriculture. Passed by the House 101-11.

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and appreciate your input on issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 452-S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. You can also e-mail me at pam.curtis@house.ks.gov.

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