There was a lot of work being done on transportation policy at the statehouse this week. Below you will find updates on several transportation issues that had hearings.

KDOT testified in favor of SB 409 to the Senate Transportation Committee on Wednesday. The bill establishes a framework for a passenger rail program. KDOT is anxiously awaiting the Amtrak feasibility study that will provide necessary information on the possibility of a passenger rail route between Fort Worth, TX and Kansas City.

KDOT testified in favor of SB 462 to the Senate Transportation Committee on Thursday. The department requested this bill to allow collection of consequential damages when damage is sustained to highway structures. There were many opponents to the legislation. We plan to work with the opponents to craft language that can be agreed upon by all parties.

KDOT testified before the House Transportation Committee in favor of HB 2561 on Thursday. The bill was proposed by Johnson County to allow transit buses to operate on the shoulders when the traffic on highways is moving at a speed under 35 MPH.

Rescission Bill update – The House Appropriations Committee passed HB 2222 on to the full House for debate. There were a few amendments that impacted legislator salaries. There were no amendments that impact KDOT.

Text ban update – Both the House and Senate have held hearings on separate text ban proposals, and have not yet worked the bills.

Next week will be another busy one with many hearings on transportation policy.

For all KDOT legislative testimony, follow this link: http://www.ksdot.org/IDMWS/kdot/11/legislative/testimony.asp?Year=2010

Well folks, the third week of legislative session has passed; several things remain unchanged, although some work is being done.

A Passenger Rail bill was introduced this week; SB 409 will enable the Secretary to establish a passenger rail program. The bill will have a hearing on Wednesday next week in Senate Transportation Committee.

The budget rescission bill passed the Senate this week and has been sent to the House. The House has not worked the rescission bill in Appropriations Committee yet, but it may end up on their agenda next week. Some are speculating that they are waiting to adjust the ending balance of the bill to reflect lower-than-expected revenues. January revenues came in $18.4 million lower than estimates. That brings the fiscal year total to $33.8 million in the red, after the Senate rescission bill is enacted.

The Governor’s $.01 sales tax increase proposal failed in the House Taxation Committee, and the bill is dead for the session in the House.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on SB 351 on Thursday. The bill has much stricter penalties than HB 2439 that was previously reported on. The Committee plans to work the bill and send it to the full Senate for debate. The bill had no opponents.

The birthday of Kansas statehood is this weekend and will be celebrated all over Topeka, with bi-partisan celebration as well as separate Republican and Democrat parties.

How fitting to celebrate Kansas’ birthday with an intense game of basketball between KS rivals!

For all KDOT legislative testimony, follow this link: http://www.ksdot.org/IDMWS/kdot/11/legislative/testimony.asp?Year=2010

The second week in review:

Transportation 101:

·          Secretary Miller presented a transportation update to the House and Senate Transportation committees this week.

Governor’s Revenue Proposals:

·          The House Tax committee began a hearing on HB 2475 , the Governor’s 1% sales tax increase proposal on Thursday. 13 proponents testified in favor of the measure, including Pat Hurley with Economic Lifelines. The legislation would raise additional revenue for transportation, approximately $329 Million for the first 5 years. Part of Hurley’s testimony was geared at urging the committee to pass a new transportation program that has been a proven engine for economic recovery in the past and would be a long-term solution to the continuing budget problems. The committee will hear from opponents to the measure next Tuesday.

·          The Senate Tax committee introduced the Governor’s proposal on Wednesday.

The FY 2009 Rescission Bill:

·          The Senate Ways and Means committee passed HB 2222 , the rescission bill, on to the full Senate without amendments that impacted KDOT or state employees. The rescission bill formally adopts the Governor’s transfers to the State General Fund from the State Highway Fund.

·          The House Appropriations committee has held hearings on the same bill, HB 2416 , but has not taken action.

Text Ban Legislation:

·          The House held a hearing this week on HB 2439 . Additional information on the hearing is posted under Thursday’s Text Ban Hearing blog.

The week ahead:

The Senate Judiciary committee will be holding a hearing on SB 351 which will prohibit texting while driving.

For all KDOT legislative testimony, follow this link: http://www.ksdot.org/IDMWS/kdot/11/legislative/testimony.asp?Year=2010

HB 2439 was heard on Tuesday in House Transportation Committee. KDOT worked with a large coalition to draft the bill and testified in support during the hearing. There were no opponents to the legislation.

The bill will prohibit the reading, writing, or sending of text messages and emails. Voice activated technology, built-in vehicle systems like OnStar, and navigation systems are exempted.

Several questions were raised by committee members about the enforceability of any texting ban. Law enforcement conferees testified that enforcing this would be similar to looking for ‘clues’ for other prohibited acts like carrying a concealed weapon without a permit. Law enforcement would be trained to look for the ‘clues’ to enforce the law, although the Highway Patrol did agree that it would be somewhat difficult to enforce.

This issue was very popular with the press yesterday. The following articles reported on the hearing:

House panel hears from backers of texting ban BY JEANNINE KORANDA, Wichita Eagle

Session began with a bang, and now the real work has to be done. The first week is typically slow moving, and this week was no different. Many bills were introduced and the primary issues for the session are coming to light.

Three text-ban bills were introduced this week. KDOT worked with a coalition of supporters to introduce HB 2439 . The bill will create a $100 fine for unlawful text messaging. The hearing on HB 2439 will be held on Tuesday at 1:30 before the House Transportation Committee.

Of course, most of the conversation surrounded the budget. There was discussion with House Appropriations on how the Governor’s allotments will impact agencies. Senate Ways and Means got an update from Budget Director Duane Goossen on the Governor’s budget for FY 2011. The allotment bill will likely be worked in both chambers next week.

In very dramatic fashion, the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee denied Secretary Wagnon’s first attempt at introducing a bill that contained the Governor’s recommended revenue increase measures that were announced in his State of the State address ; those being a tobacco tax increase and a $.01 increase to the sales tax. The committee also denied introduction of a bill that would repeal certain sales tax exemptions.

The Senate Transportation Committee was briefed on the Transportation interim committee action. Discussion surrounded the passage of the Primary Seat Belt legislation and the $11.2 million that is available if the legislation passes. Several Senate committee members gave strong support for passage of Primary Seat Belt legislation.

Secretary Miller will be presenting to the House and Senate Transportation committees next week on the status of Transportation in Kansas.

Look for more updates on Transportation and state employee issues as next week progresses.

The Legislative session is underway. Governor Parkinson had a great State of the State speech last night, and budget committees are already being briefed on the state budget that became available this morning.

Please refer to 'Roundabout the Dome' for legislative updates relating to Transportation, KDOT, and State Employees.