James Fisher

The committee recommends the Legislature consider recommendations from the 2022 Special Committee on Intellectual and Developmental Disability (I/DD) Waiver Modernization and the 2022 Kansas Senior Care Task Force pertaining to KanCare issues. It also suggests KDADS look into establishing a Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Coordinator position, and that KDHE and the KanCare MCOs discuss the cost to cover dentures under KanCare. The committee encourages the SPARK Executive Committee to allocate ARPA funds for expansion of the Midland Care Connection PACE program. Furthermore, it seeks information from KDHE and DCF regarding the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 and the cost of related mailings, as well as details from KanCare MCOs on interpreter services available to KanCare members. The committee also suggests increased funding for targeted case management and centers for independent living, and consideration of a bill drafted to give certified medication aides (CMAs) insulin administration authority. It also addresses the expiration of TNAs' ability to work, escalating the timeline for community mental health centers seeking certified community behavioral health clinic status, and the Mental Health Intervention Team (MHIT) Program's request for legislation to place the MHIT Program in statute. Finally, it discusses legislation to reduce regulatory barriers in PACE.

The legislative document includes reports from various joint committees and special committees appointed by the Legislative Coordinating Council during the 2014 Interim. Key topics covered include corrections and juvenile justice oversight, information technology, Kansas security, home and community-based services and KanCare oversight, capitol preservation, and K-12 student performance and efficiency. The committees made recommendations on issues ranging from funding SB 123 programs and IT security to school safety, veterans' affairs, and Medicaid management.

The budget analysis for the fiscal year 2023 reviews state expenditures and financing plans. It includes summaries of changes to estimated FY 2022 expenditures, total state expenditures for FY 2023, and expenditures by major purpose and function of government. Key topics include state operations, aid to local units of government, other assistance, grants, and benefits, and capital improvements. The analysis also covers the status of the State General Fund, demand/revenue transfers, and Governor's recommendations for FY 2022 and FY 2023.

The omnibus consideration includes a wide array of topics such as budgetary reviews, legislative actions, and funding requests from various Kansas state departments and agencies. Key issues include Medicaid eligibility monitoring, child abuse review programs, human services caseload expenditures, tobacco settlement revenue estimates, licensure requirements, expansion of programs for the elderly, apprenticeship grant programs, film and digital media production development, state employee pay adjustments, and various technical adjustments to House Bill 2184.

The Legislative Compensation Commission was directed to conduct a comprehensive study on the compensation, salary, and retirement benefits of the Kansas Legislature. The base salary shall be increased to $43,000 per year starting in January 2025. Beginning in January 2026, the base salary will be adjusted each year to match the percent change in wages for all Kansas employees. Members of the legislature will be compensated for special sessions and interim committee meetings at a rate of $172 per day. The LCC is requested to study travel policy, additional leadership position compensation matters and daily rate for certain state board and committee members.