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Commissioners review legislative session; local bills advanced and others stalled
Summary
County staff and commissioners reviewed bills that passed and those likely stalled; commissioners noted House Bill 2022 (elections) passed while several Sedgwick County–interested bills remain unresolved and may be pursued next year. Commissioner Howe called the session "not a good session" for local priorities.
Assistant County Manager Tanya Cole briefed the board on legislative activity and highlighted bills that passed and those unlikely to advance this year. Cole said House Bill 2022 (election provisions) and several other measures have passed; Senate Bill 4 was amended and passed to require advance ballots be returned by 7 p.m. on election day through a veto override. She also summarized bills of county interest that may be revisited next year, including measures on cremains, sales tax language, and a treasurer bill.
Cole listed bills the county tracked and described next steps for county staff and lobbyists; she said the legislature was scheduled to return April 10 to address vetoes. "House Bill 2022... amended to hold elections to the 1st Tuesday in March and for primary and general elections," Cole said, reporting on changes that affect election scheduling.
Commissioner Howe criticized the overall productivity of the session and urged continued engagement with legislators in the off session to advance county priorities. "So overall, this session, in my opinion, has not been a good session," Howe said, outlining how conference committee reports and adjournment timing left many bills unresolved. Commissioners thanked staff and lobbyists for their work and discussed plans to follow up with legislators this summer and fall.
