Kansas Senate introduces bills 141–173 and a proposed constitutional repeal; committees file several positive reports

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Kansas Senate opened its Feb. 3 session with a floor reading introducing Senate bills 141 through 173 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 16-09, followed by committee reports recommending several bills for passage and a committee referral recommending approval of a gubernatorial appointment.

The clerk read the list of newly introduced measures, including bills described as concerning civil actions, education, real property, children and minors, insurance, taxation and utilities. “This constitutes introduction of Senate bill 141 through Senate bill 173 and SCR 16 o 9,” the Senate clerk said on the floor.

Why it matters: The batch of introductions sets the chamber’s early legislative docket and signals subject areas senators and committees plan to consider this session. Committee reports filed on the floor indicate which measures have already cleared committee-level review or been recommended with amendments, shaping which items the full Senate may take up in coming days.

Most important details

- Introduction: The clerk read Senate Bill Nos. 141–173 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 16-09. The reading listed bill numbers, sponsoring committees or sponsors, and brief subject lines as read on the floor; detailed bill text or fiscal notes were not read on the chamber floor during the introduction.

- Committee reports and recommendations: A senator speaking for the Committee on Federal and State Affairs submitted a standing-committee report that included a recommendation that the Senate approve and consent to the governor’s appointment of Brigadier General Carlin Williams to the Kansas National Guard. The Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance reported that Senate Bill 20 be passed, that Senate Bill 28 be amended and passed as amended, and that Senate Bill 24 be passed. The Committee on Assessment and Taxation recommended that Senate Bill 33 be replaced with a substitute bill and that the substitute be passed. These recommendations were announced as committee reports on the floor; they do not represent final floor action by the full Senate.

- Nominations announced: Majority Leader Senator Blasey (Sedgwick) told colleagues that two nominees whose files are available in his office would be considered this week: Cathy Wolfmore (packet in leader’s office) and Brigadier General Carlin Williams (Kansas National Guard). Blasey said packets for both nominees were available in his office for senators to review.

What was not decided

No final floor votes on the newly introduced bills were recorded in the transcript of this session. Committee recommendations were announced on the floor but the full Senate did not vote on those committee recommendations during the portion of the transcript provided. The clerk’s reading and committee reports do not include bill texts, fiscal notes or committee minutes; those materials were not specified on the floor during the introductions.

Context and next steps

Majority Leader Blasey said the Senate will move to general orders the next day and indicated members would caucus; senators were also told to expect further bill referrals and committee activity. Two committees — Commerce and Agriculture and Natural Resources — announced brief meetings at the rail for introductions and discussion of specific matters (Commerce Committee noted historic tax credits). The clerk and committee speakers on the floor identified which committees had filed reports; full committee reports, bill texts and any amendments must be consulted for detailed provisions and fiscal implications.

Ending

The Senate recessed for caucus after introductions and committee announcements. No floor passage votes on the introduced bills were recorded in this transcript excerpt; senators and the public should consult the official bill pages and committee reports for texts, sponsors, fiscal notes and scheduled hearings.