Kansas Senate Transportation Committee advances multiple bills, including trailer-dealer carveout and fee apportionment package

The Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday moved several bills forward by voice votes after brief presentation and discussion.

Trailer dealers: The committee amended and passed House Bill 2030, which excludes dealers and manufacturers of trailers from certain provisions of the Vehicle Dealers and Manufacturers Licensing Act. Committee staff described approximately 10 specific provisions from which trailer dealers would be excluded while the remaining provisions of the act would continue to apply. The committee first approved an amendment to change the register date and then voted to advance the bill favorably as amended; Senator Dietrich moved the final motion to advance the bill and Senator Klooz seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.

County treasurer fee apportionment (Senate Bill 119): The committee advanced Senate Bill 119 favorably after discussion with county treasurer representatives and contractors' groups. Testimony from Steve Kearney of the Kansas County Treasurers Association and Michael White of the Kansas Contractors Association described a negotiated two-step approach: the bill would change apportionment so county treasurers retain a greater share of fees counties now perform (the testified change increases the treasurer retention from $0.75 to $5.75 and raises the certificate-of-title application portion from $2 to $3.50), and a companion budget adjustment or amendment in ways and means would align transfers so the state highway fund is not reduced. Kearney said the change "does not raise the fees; it just changes the apportionment of the fees and leaves a higher percentage with the treasurers who are really the ones performing the lion's share of these duties now." Senator Tyson moved SB 119 forward; Senator Arderbright seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. Committee members and witnesses noted coordination with Ways and Means and the budget process would be needed to avoid an unintended reduction to the highway fund.

Blackout plate (House Bill 2168): The committee approved an amendment to move the effective date to the register and then advanced House Bill 2168, which would create a new "blackout" license plate with a $50 additional fee directed to the License Plate Replacement Fund administered by the Secretary of Revenue. Senator Klimp seconded the motion to adopt the effective-date amendment; the amendment and subsequent motion to advance the bill were adopted by voice vote.

Ignition interlock device fees (House Bill 2222): The committee advanced House Bill 2222 favorably. Committee staff explained the bill would require ignition interlock device manufacturers to pay a $10 one-time fee and a $5 monthly fee into an IID fee program fund administered by the Kansas Highway Patrol, unless the division determines a person is eligible for reduced costs. Senator DG moved the bill forward; the motion carried by voice vote.

Quarterly payment threshold for registration fees (House Bill 2122): The committee advanced House Bill 2122, which raises the threshold that allows quarterly payments of annual registration fees from $100 to $300 and removes a two-quarter grace period for delinquent quarterly payments (quarterly payments would be delinquent if not paid within 10 days after the due date). The motion to advance was made and carried by voice vote.

All votes recorded in this hearing were voice votes with no individual roll-call tallies entered in the committee record during this session.