KASB Legislative Update, Thursday, March 17

Posted Date: 03/18/2022

The Senate Education Committee recommended approval of SB 455, which would require school districts to accept non-resident students. The measure now goes to the full Senate.  

Under the bill, local boards would be required to adopt policies to establish student capacity, and post capacity levels on their website. A similar measure has advanced from the House K-12 Education Budget Committee.  

Meanwhile, the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee recommended approval of SB 553, which says public employees, including teachers, hired after July 1, 2024, would no longer be under the KPERS retirement plan but instead would have to participate in a thrift savings plan, like a 401-(k). 

A fiscal note for the bill says it would cost the state billions of more dollars to fund.  

This measure was opposed by retirees, law enforcement, state workers, firefighters and school groups. They argued this would reduce the security of people once they retire. At the least, these groups argued, for such a major shift in policy, the plan should be studied for a year. 

During the 1 1/2-hour meeting, the Senate tax committee pushed out approximately 20 tax bills, including a measure that would make several changes related to last year’s SB 13 revenue neutral rate law, including establishing a complaint process, and requiring roll call votes and publication of information. The committee also advanced a proposed sales tax holiday weekend in August for the purchase of back-to-school items. 

And earlier, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee approved Senate Sub for HB 2280, which would make it easier to refuse childhood immunizations to attend school or a daycare.  

Here is a video recap of Thursday’s events.