Submitted to Sumner Newscow — The following legislative report was written by Rep. Kyle Hoffman of District 116: 

Kansas Days; Snow Days

The last week of January during Kansas Days, Kansas celebrated 153 years as a state and at the same time we dedicated the completion of the decade long renovations on the Capitol. The Capitol is truly beautifully redone; if you haven’t had a chance to visit I hope you will get the chance, it will be well worth it.

Then the Snow Days hit, the snow storm that covered most of the state dropped 13 inches of snow in Topeka and brought everything to a halt, closing state offices and the legislature for two days the first week of February. I am always amused how different it is in the city, back home in the country the work has to be done even with a foot of snow.

As we start the fourth week of session, everything is back to normal and bills are starting to come out of the committees, I expect work on the floor to continue to pick up in the next couple of weeks.

Please remember bills and other helpful information can be easily accessed through the legislature’s website at www.kslegislature.com.

Commercial Vehicles

Every year it seems that an issue arises that wasn’t expected, commercial vehicle registration is one of those issues. In 2012, HB 2557 changed the vehicle taxes on commercial vehicles from property taxes to a commercial fee. The law went into effect on January 1, 2014, causing some confusion since most owners began paying the commercial fee for 2014 while still owing the property tax on the vehicle for 2013. A “commercial vehicle” is defined as a self-propelled or towed motor vehicle in commerce used to transport property or passengers, but does not include a vehicle registered as a farm truck or vehicle taxed as personal property.

The problem that has arisen is the change in minimum weights; the law changes the definition to include any vehicle used in commerce with a GMW of 10,001 pounds or larger. With this change, a 3⁄4 ton pickup pulling a trailer or even a 1 ton truck engaged in business now falls under several commercial rules and regulations.

A bill has been introduced that would raise the minimum weight to at least 24,000 pounds; I will be following this legislation in the hope we can pass a fix this year. If you have questions or need more information about commercial vehicle registration, you can contact Deann or Leo at the Commercial Motor Carrier Office at 785-296-6541, or give my office a call.

Unemployment Down; Revenue Up

Good news in the job market. The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) has reported that the December seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 4.9 percent, down from 5.1 percent in November and down from 5.5 percent in December 2012. According to the Labor Department, Kansas gained 10,100 seasonally adjusted private sector jobs, an increase of 0.9 percent since last December. This marks the first time since 2008 that the state’s unemployment rate has fallen below 5 percent.

Since January 2011, there has been an increase of 49,400 private sector jobs in Kansas. I believe this pro-growth record of success is worth celebrating – after a decade of lost jobs, Kansas is now one of the top ten states in the nation for jobs. We must stay the course so Kansas can continue to be a leader in this area.

At the same time, the Department of Revenue reported that January tax receipts were $16.8 million more than expected, putting the state $21.1 million above estimates for FY 2014.

This is a good indication that the Kansas economy is growing and welcomed news as we continue to work on the 2014 and 2015 budget supplementals in Appropriations.

Healthcare Stabilization Fund

In 1976 the Healthcare Stabilization Fund was created in Kansas. This fund was created to ensure doctors have access to affordable malpractice coverage. The fund brings a group of high risk insures together to help reduce the cost of claims and stabilize the insurance market and sets malpractice caps on noneconomic damages at $250,000.

HB 2516 which passed out of the house on Monday, February 10, will update this program. Those updates include changing the definition of Healthcare providers to include nurse assistants, advanced nurse practitioners and charitable healthcare providers, while also making those practitioners eligible for the fund.

Lastly, the bill adds tail coverage which protects doctors against claims after they have retired and given up their license. The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Pages and Forums

Pages needed for the session. Would your Jr/Sr. High student like to be a page for a day at the Capitol? Please call, so we can work out a date that works for you. Along with paging on the House floor, they will get a guided tour of the beautifully restored Capitol and their picture with the Governor; please contact my secretary June at 785-296-7643 if you are interested.

District Forums. Before session began and over the last several weekends, Sen. Abrams and I have been hosting several Legislative Forums in order to answer your questions and share information about the session. So far this year we have had forums is Anthony, Coldwater, Protection, Conway Springs and Argonia. We have had good turnouts and great discussions of the issues at each forum. I look forward to more forums in the future; please watch the papers and Facebook for more meetings near you.

I’m also always happy to arrange a time to meet with you individually here in Topeka, but even if you are unable to come to Topeka, please contact me anytime; I’m always interested in hearing your thoughts on what you’re hearing around the district. It’s very helpful for me when I have reliable feedback.

Contact Information

My office is 481-W, State Capitol Building, Topeka KS 66612
Tel # 785-296-7643 or 800-432-3924; email kyle.hoffman@house.ks.gov.

My district mailing address is 1318 Avenue T, Coldwater, KS 67029, Tel # 620-582-2217

As always, I welcome your comments as I work through this session. I want to thank you for this opportunity and I consider representing you a great honor.

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to your neighbors in District 116.