2020 Special Session Update

HB 2016 was debated for nearly 5 hours on the House floor yesterday, the first day of the Kansas Legislature Special Session.

HB 2016 included three main parts, CARES Act Funding, Emergency Declaration Powers and liability immunity, a 57 page bill. I continue to be concerned about process, the lack of transparency and the lack of measures to help or protect workers during this pandemic.

HB 2016 was introduced yesterday at a House Judiciary Committee meeting at the rail, it was referred directly to the Committee of the Whole. There were no hearings held, and the bill document was not available to read until a short time before we started our debate.

Democrats offered multiple amendments that would have addressed some of the issues, including expanding Medicaid and measures to help Kansas workers and ensure safe work environments. None of our amendments prevailed.

The positive part of the bill does extend the Emergency Declaration to September 15, 2020 and puts in place a process for legislative review of the distribution of the CARES Act federal funding.

When we rush legislation and do not have hearings to allow the public and subject matter experts to weigh in there are almost always unintended consequences. I wish the process for HB 2016 would have been different to allow for greater input. I will continue to fight for Kansas workers who are bearing the brunt of this pandemic and the economic downturn. I will also continue to fight for the rights of essential workers who are keeping this economy going and putting their lives and those of their loved ones at risk.

Resources

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Kansas Legislature Website

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