Kansas Association of Community College Trustees

Policy

KACCT Newsletter March 10, 2006 700 S. W. Jackson, Ste. 1000, Topeka, Kansas 66603 - (785)-357-5156

Budget Clears More Hurdles….The Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Higher Education met this morning to finalize committee recommendations for the Regents’ budget.  They accepted the Governor’s recommendation to add $5,086,081 for Community College Operating Grants and also put in an additional $3.1 million to complete the final year of the out-district tuition buy-down (as outlined in SB 345 funding).  They have asked the Board of Regents for insights about current programs which address the state’s nursing shortage.   The committee may make an additional appropriation to strengthen these programs at Omnibus.  Sen. Ruth Teichman, R-Stafford, reminded the committee that any proposal made should include those community colleges with nursing programs.  The subcommittee also discussed the need for additional deferred maintenance dollars.  Sen. Steve Morris, R-Hugoton, who chairs the subcommittee, said a deferred maintenance bill along with a recommended revenue source was currently being drafted.  The subcommittee will report to the full Ways and Means Committee at their meeting on Monday, March 13.

Also this morning, the House Appropriations met to finalize their budget bills – HB 2968 (FY 2007 appropriations for state agencies), HB 2957 (FY 2007 and FY 2008 appropriations for capital improvements for various state agencies) and HB 2958 (FY 2006 and FY 2007 supplemental appropriations for various state agencies) – in readiness for floor debate next Wednesday.  Although the committee amended a number of items, they concurred with the Education Budget Committee’s recommendations for community colleges which mirror the Senate’s proposal.

Tax and Assessment Taking a Long Look at M & E Exemptions….Both Sheila Frahm and Jennie Rose have followed the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee’s efforts this week as they consider HB 2619 which calls for certain property tax exemptions.  The bill has two parts, the first exempts from property taxes all commercial and industrial machinery and equipment that is newly purchased or leased after July 1, 2006.  The second part increases the de minimus exemption to $1,000 from the current $400.  To offset the impact of the loss of this tax revenue, the bill creates a new fund, the Business, Machinery and Equipment Tax Reduction Assistance Fund.  This “slider provision” in the bill will compensate local units of government – 100 percent of the difference for tax year 2007, 80 percent of 2008, 60 percent for 2009, 40 percent for 2010 and 20 percent for 2011 (transfers made FY 2008-2012).  The committee was briefed by staff this week as well as Secretary of Revenue Joan Wagnon and several Department of Revenue attorneys.  Proponents of the bill, who have reminded the committee that all property currently on the tax rolls stays on the tax rolls, provided testimony on Thursday and will continue on Monday followed by testimony from opponents also on Monday and continuing through Tuesday.

Undocumented Immigrants Maintain In-state Status for Now….Earlier this session, Rep. Becky Hutchins, R-Holton, introduced a bill calling to rescind a bill passed last year which offers in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who have attended Kansas schools for three years and earned either a high school diploma or G.E.D.  The bill failed to move out of the Federal and State Affairs Committee on its first attempt, but the Committee Chairman, John Edmonds, R-Great Bend, was prevailed upon to reconsider and the bill was passed out.  Now, the bill has met a similar fate on the House floor.  Rep. Tom Holland tried to reverse the intent of the bill and insert strong penalties for employers who knowingly hire illegal immigrants, but the House voted 62-59 to return the bill to Federal and State.

Meningitis Bill Gets Committee Nod….The House Health and Human Service Committee gave their approval Thursday afternoon to HB 2396 which calls for meningitis vaccine for postsecondary students residing in on-campus housing.  Students who do not want to take the meningitis vaccine could opt out by signing a waiver.  Although time is running out for consideration this year, the committee felt it important to move the bill ahead.

Board of Regents to Meet….The Kansas Board of Regents will meet Wednesday, March 15, at 1:30 p.m., and again the next morning, Thursday, March 16, at 9:00 a.m. in the Board Room, Curtis State Office Building, 1000 SW Jackson, Suite 520, Topeka.  The Wednesday agenda includes discussion of the ACCESS US Strategic Plan, performance agreement procedures and a legislative update.  The Thursday agenda focuses more on university issues – the Board’s policy on tenure, the Board’s Mandatory Retirement Plan and an update on the Emporia State University presidential search process.  These sessions are open to the public and provide interesting insights into the work of the Regents.

The Week Ahead….Committee meetings of interest next week include:

Monday, March 13:  Senate Assessment and Taxation

10:30 a.m., Rm. 519-S

            HB 2619:  Property tax exemption for certain commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, materials and supplies

Monday, March 13:  Senate Ways and Means

10:30 a.m., Rm. 123-S

            Subcommittee budget reports including Regents Systemwide

Monday, March 13:  House Higher Education

3:30 p.m., Rm. 231-N

            Possible action on bills previously heard

Tuesday, March 14:  Senate Assessment and Taxation

10:30 a.m., Rm. 519-S

HB 2619:  Property tax exemptions for certain commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, materials and supplies

Wednesday, March 15:  House Appropriations

9:00 a.m., Rm. 514-S

HCR 5035:  Academic freedom for Kansas public universities:  presentation by David Horowitz

Wednesday, March 15:  Senate Assessment and Taxation

10:30 a.m., Rm. 519-S

HB 2619:  Property tax exemptions for certain commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, materials and supplies

Thursday, March 16:  Senate Education

1:30 p.m., Rm. 123-S 

HB 2575:  Kansas challenge to secondary school pupils; concurrent enrollment; gifted children; technical colleges

Friday, March 17:  Senate Ways and Means

10:30 a.m., Rm. 123-S

            Discussion and possible action on Senate budget bills

 

 

 

Important Resources to gather legislative and budget information:
www.Kansas.gov
www.kslegislature.org Kansas Legislature
http//skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/klrd.html Legislative Research Department