Senate advances and passes five bills; confirmations approved

TOPEKA — The Kansas Senate moved through a package of bills on Feb. 11, adopting committee reports, entertaining amendments and taking final action under a suspension of rules.

What passed - SB 355 (cigarettes, electronic cigarettes and tobacco): Committee amendments were adopted on the floor (including raising an electronic‑cigarette manufacturer license fee in committee from $500 to $2,500). The committee report was adopted and the bill passed final action as advanced; the clerk recorded the final passage among the bills advanced under emergency procedures (clerk’s tally recorded unanimous or large majorities as described below).

- SB 344 (animals): Amends duties of animal shelters to allow moving neonates to foster homes during mandatory holding periods and requires posting pictures while animals are off‑site; committee report adopted and bill passed.

- SB 435 (KPERS; retirement and pensions): Technical and administrative updates requested by the KPERS board of trustees; committee report adopted and bill passed.

- SB 434 (veterans tax exemption adjustments): Changes to statutory definitions related to disabled‑veteran sales tax exemptions; committee report adopted and bill passed.

- SB 387 (education): See separate coverage. SB 387 was advanced and passed in final action 22–18.

Confirmations - Christy (Chrissy) Smith, nominated as director of the Office of Early Childhood, was recorded as confirmed by the Senate (tally during floor action recorded as 21 in favor, 19 opposed at the confirmation tally on the calendar roll). Supporters praised her experience; opponents raised concerns about the nominee’s current Missouri residency and implications for state leadership.

- Peter Johnston, nominated to the State Board of Regents, was confirmed by recorded vote as part of the calendar actions announced by the clerk.

Procedure and votes Leadership resolved the Senate into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of general orders. After committee reports were adopted, leadership moved emergency suspension of rules to advance the listed bills to final action, and the motion carried. The clerk recorded final passage votes: SB 355, SB 344, SB 435 and SB 434 were recorded as having 40 votes in favor and none opposed on final passage; SB 387 passed 22–18 on its final roll.

Next steps Bills passed by the Senate will be enrolled and transmitted to the governor for signature or veto consideration. Confirmed appointments will be posted by the Senate as part of the journal and notification to the relevant agencies.