Senate Ways and Means Passes Several Key Bills

This afternoon, the Senate Ways and Means Committee passed several key bills. 

1. HB 2002 is the Senate’s omnibus budget bill – containing the items not addressed in the mega-budget bill.  It includes some of the Governor’s Budget Amendments, consensus caseloads adjustments and such.  After making another round of adjustments and adding new provisos this afternoon, the committee adopted Senate Sub for HB 2002 on a vote of 11-2  The Senate omnibus bill does not fully fund the Osawatomie State Hospital shortfall, but does include $2.8 m for FY 17 and $6.6 m for FY 18 (half of the Governor’s request).  The Senate committee also added provisos – the first requires the agency to issue an RFP to build a 100 bed state hospital facility at Osawatomie to be operated by the State.  The second asks the agency for a full engineering study of the buildings and property and the rehabilitation or demolition needs at Osawatomie State Hospital.  See the attached notes of the committee meeting last Friday to read the committee discussion beginning page 6 re: OSH.  (Read the notes from Senate Ways and Means Friday, April 28.)
2. HB 2130 – now contains the MCO privilege fees language needed to restore the Medicaid reimbursement cuts.  Will need to see a copy to compare with HB 2180.
3. Senate Sub for HB 2278 – contains the language from SB 235 to exempt state hospitals, KU Hospital Authority, community mental health centers, indigent care clinics and public adult care homes from the concealed carry requirements.  According to Chair Carolyn McGinn, the committee has been waiting for an amendment to be negotiated, but that amendment has not been forthcoming.  Therefore, the committee would advance this bill or would need to add the $12 million for security at the state mental health hospitals as described in the Governor’s Budget Amendment request.  (See page 2 of the notes to read the notes from the committee discussion last week on the topic of allowing guns on the state mental health hospital campus.)  The motion was offered by Senator Anthony Hensley and seconded by Senator Skubal.  A motion to amend by including college campuses was reluctantly withdrawn by Senator Tom Hawk when it appeared the amendment could scuttle the entire bill.  The bill was adopted as amended on a voice vote with one recorded “no” from Senator Alley.