Week 12 Legislative Update

This past week, the legislature was on break as bills passed by both the House and Senate were sent to the Governor for either signature or veto. While activity at the Capitol paused, I want to take this opportunity to recap several important pieces of legislation from the past few weeks and what they mean for Kansans.

Strengthening Public Safety – HB 2444

I was proud to co-sponsor HB 2444, a bill focused on holding repeat offenders accountable and strengthening safety across Kansas communities.

This legislation ensures that individuals who repeatedly violate the law cannot manipulate the system. It prevents “double counting” of jail time, meaning offenders must fully serve consecutive sentences. It also establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including presumptive imprisonment for individuals who commit new felonies while already under supervision.

Additionally, HB 2444 strengthens bond requirements for repeat offenders, ensuring that courts take a more cautious approach when releasing individuals charged with new crimes. This bill reflects a commitment to protecting our communities while maintaining fairness in sentencing.

Supporting Racetrack Operations – HB 2416

HB 2416, also known as the Kansas Motorsports Venue Protection Act, provides important protections for racetrack owners.

Under this law, racetracks that were established before nearby homes or businesses cannot be sued for nuisance complaints such as noise. This helps protect longstanding venues from legal challenges brought by newer developments.

At the same time, the bill maintains accountability by ensuring racetracks can still be held responsible for issues unrelated to nuisance claims and must comply with all applicable state and local laws.

Expanding Educational Opportunities – SB 361

SB 361 would allow Kansas to participate in a federal tax credit program designed to support education.

Through this program, individuals can receive tax credits for donating to Scholarship Granting Organizations, which then provide scholarships to students. These scholarships can be used for both public and private education.

Importantly, this bill is not a voucher program. Instead, it creates an opportunity to expand access to education by encouraging private donations through federal incentives. If implemented, the program would begin in 2027.

Increasing Transparency in Prescription Drug Pricing – SB 20

One of the most impactful pieces of legislation this session is SB 20, the Kansas Consumer Prescription Protection and Accountability Act.

This bill addresses long-standing concerns with Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), who act as intermediaries in the prescription drug system. Historically, PBMs have operated with limited oversight, often engaging in practices like “spread pricing,” where they charge more than they reimburse pharmacies.

SB 20 eliminates spread pricing and requires transparency, ensuring that savings are passed directly to Kansans. It also establishes fair reimbursement standards for pharmacies and protects patient choice by preventing PBMs from steering individuals toward specific pharmacies.

This legislation is a major step toward lowering prescription costs, supporting local pharmacies, and bringing accountability to the system.

Property Tax Relief Concerns – SCR 1603

SCR 1603 was a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at providing property tax relief. While I strongly support efforts to reduce the burden on Kansans, I opposed this measure for several reasons.

The ballot language was overly complex and difficult to understand, which is not appropriate for a constitutional amendment. Voters deserve clear, straightforward language when making such important decisions.

Additionally, while the proposal included a 9% cap on property value increases, it did not address the underlying issue of government spending. Without spending limits, property tax relief measures fall short of delivering meaningful results.

I was also disappointed that a provision to freeze property taxes for qualifying seniors was removed, weakening the overall proposal. This issue deserves careful consideration, and I remain committed to pursuing solutions that are both effective and easy for Kansans to understand.

Closing Thoughts

Although the legislature was in recess this week, the work done in recent weeks continues to have a significant impact on our state. From public safety and education to healthcare transparency and tax policy, these bills reflect ongoing efforts to address the needs of Kansans.

Thank you for your continued support as I serve District 1. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

In service,
Dale Helwig