Newsletter:
Week 2, January 16-20
Senate side
The Kansas Senate have introduced multiple pieces of legislation to ban abortion.
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“Kansas lawmaker seeks to allow local restrictions to abortion,” Kansas City Star, 1/19/2023
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“Bill would allow Kansas local governments to restrict abortion,” Sunflower State Journal, 1/19/2023
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“Invasion of the body snatchers: Kansas GOP leaders crave control of residents,” Opinion: Clay Wirestone, Kansas Reflector, 1/19/2023
House side
Elections:
I was assigned to serve on the Elections Committee please use this link to see the bills that were introduced. Democrats on the committee: Ranking Member Rep. Brandon Woodard (Lenexa) and Reps. Allison Hougland (Olathe) and Cindy Neighbor (Shawnee).
The most talked about proposed legislation:
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HB 2013: Requiring a runoff election between the top two candidates whenever a candidate for a statewide office fails to receive a majority of the votes cast at a general or special election.
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HB 2054: Modifying the deadline for requesting a recount after an election.
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HB 2055: Prohibiting third parties from mailing advance voting ballot applications to registered voters.
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HB 2056: Requiring all advance voting ballots to be returned by 7 p.m. on election day.
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HB 2057: Regulating the use of remote ballot boxes for the return of advance voting ballots.
A Commission on Asian-American Pacific Islander Affairs:
Rep. Rui Xu (Prairie Village) is attempting to pass legislation establishing the advisory commission on Asian-American Pacific Islander affairs.
Looking ahead
You can watch Governor Laura Kelly’s State of the State address live on YouTube through the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube page on January 24 at 6:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, January 24, the K-12 Education Budget committee will host a hearing on HB 2030, a bill to allow nonpublic school students to participate in activities regulated by the Kansas State high school activities association. Additionally, the committee will have a hearing on HB 2060, which establishes the special education and related services task force.
To submit testimony, contact Chairwoman Kristey Williams’ office at (785) 296-3971 or email patricia.rosario@house.ks.gov.
It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I value and need your input on the various issues facing the state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 451A - S, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7300 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can email me at Melissa.Oropeza@house.ks.gov. You can also follow the legislative session online at www.kslegislature.org.
Resources
First time at the “Well” accompanied by my fellow healthcare providers, Representative Eplee, Representative Bryce, and Representative Clifford.