Lobbyist Report

Chris Maurich

I had a good as well as productive time at the Kansas Day Republican convention, several influential members of the legislature stopped and talked to me. It is kind of nice when they seek me out. A few potential future members of the legislature asked me for opinions as well as offered any help they may be able to provide. Some hold positions as legislative assistants so I may have several new allies in the statehouse. There were several in from the house transportation committee too. All should be proud of our members of ABATE as they spoke with the visitors to our room as well as visiting other hospitality rooms. District 15 rep Kelly Givens spoke at length with Representative Mike Burgess (R) Topeka, whom represents parts of Shawnee, and Pott counties. Mike has sponsored several bills I have asked for to include the handlebar height repeal. District 4 rep Tim Farr was very active as was his sidekick Paul! Both men were busy with visitors but overhearing Tim speak to an elderly couple about skunks, and skunks actions prior to spraying was something I never would have dreamed of overhearing at the convention! He even shared wisdom as to how one can get the smell to dissipate… There are many seats for the US Congress being pursued, and as expected the candidates were out in force. Take the time to do your homework. Do a Google search as well as look at the candidates’ webpage.

The Capitol has been busy, and we have a screening there now. They have finally installed an x-ray machine for carried items as well as a walk thru metal detector. I say finally because I have had to undergo such screenings for over a decade when visiting our Nation’s Capital. If anyone has enjoyed the jumping thru hoops we must do to fly also has experience with the screenings. The only holdup for me at the statehouse occurs when I go to the Docking Building across the street from the Capital. There is an underground tunnel connecting the two but one must have a state issued badge to return to the Capital side. I have to walk across the street and then go back thru the inspection line. It is a small disruption, but time consuming none the less.

There are two bills we want to pass;

HB2133:

AN ACT regulating traffic; concerning certain right-of-way violations; providing for increased penalties.

HB2135:

AN ACT regulating traffic; concerning traffic-control lights; amending K.S.A. 8-1508 and repealing the existing section.

There is a bill on the floor that asks to allow ticketing the operator of a motorcycle that allows a passenger under 18 to ride without a helmet or the owner that allows a minor to operate a motorcycle without a helmet.

SB367:

AN ACT regulating traffic; concerning the operation of motorcycles and motorized bicycles; amending K.S.A. 8-1598 and repealing the existing section.

Current law provides for ticketing the minor, we will not oppose this bill as it is an adult’s obligation to be aware of the law. What I find disturbing is the way certain “reporters” juxtapose facts and figures that are irrelevant to this proposed legislation. There was an article written by a reporter for the Hutchinson newspaper that went on and on about facts that had not a thing to do with the simple law change that would allow law enforcement to ticket the adult rider for not ensuring a minor was in compliance with the law. Instead, she used the article to discuss her views toward helmet use for all riders and had references from various studies to lend credibility to her views.

The Senate passed a resolution asserting Kansas’ sovereignty under the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The 10th Amendment reads “The powers not delegated to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.” This resolution is meant to assert to the Federal Government that Kansas wants any compulsory federal legislation which “Directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal penalties or sanctions or requires states to pass legislation or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed.”

Another bill was introduced that would specifically allow a Judge to reduce the sentence of a veteran who has been convicted of a crime if the veteran can prove that he or she suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), or served in a war zone. Is this something that most vets would be interested in? I personally do not agree with this proposal. House bill 2620 was introduced “A personal firearm that is manufactured commercially or privately in Kansas that remains within the borders of Kansas is not subject to federal law or federal regulation, including registration, under the authority of Congress to regulate interstate commerce.” The bill, basically, asks that guns made in Kansas and stay in Kansas, are none of the federal governments business.

If we all think warm thoughts perhaps this winter will end.