Difference of OpinionLegislature Overrides 20 Vetoes

Our two party system of government is replete with checks and balances. The administrative and legislative components each have distinct powers. The Governor can veto legislation that has been passed after careful consideration by 165 legislators. The legislature, which is given the ability to make laws by the constitution, has the last say. If the legislature can muster a 2/3 majority of both the House and the Senate the vetoed law stands. This last week this process happened after the Governor vetoed 28 bills. The vetoed legislation and the results of the override process as follows:

• SB 30: Provided for changes to occupational licenses authorized by the Legislature. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 244: Directed that drivers licenses and bathrooms will identify by the birth sex of the individual. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 254: Prevented illegal aliens from receiving any state or local public benefits including college tuition. Vetoed and the veto was sustained.

• SB 361: Enrolled Kansas in the educational provisions adopted by the Federal government to give tax credits to individuals that donate to private and public schools. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 368: Enabled a tax credit for individuals that contribute to a health care sharing ministry. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 375: Enacted transparency requirements to proxy advisors. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 391: Prohibits local units of government from requiring landlords to participate in housing assistance programs. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• SB 462: Prevents local units of government from filing contingency-based lawsuits. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2004: Requires DCF to share information with the Federal Government. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2329: Strengthened protections for children in the foster care system by removing violent minors. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2333: Enacted the KIRK free speech act. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2346: Established Kansas sports tourism grants for local units of government. Vetoed by the Governor after the legislature had adjourned.

• HB 2372: Enables cooperation with Federal officials by local sheriffs’ offices and jails. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2437: Designed to clean up voter registration records. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2468: Contained SB361 as well as a similar Kansas operated tax credit. Vetoed by the Governor and the veto was sustained.

• HB 2521: Provided lawsuit protection for agencies that coordinate foster care placements. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2569: Required all legal actions challenging the constitutionality of an election statute to be brought in Shawnee County. Vetoed by the Governor and the veto was sustained.

• HB 2587: Authorized a licensed private psychiatric hospital to maintain an emergency stock of pharmaceuticals. Vetoed By the Governor and sustained.

• HB 2593: Required political subdivisions hold open meetings to discuss contingency-based contracts. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2603: Prohibited regulation of battery-charged security fences by municipalities. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2626: Included several veteran proposals including employment preferences. Overridden by the Governor and the veto was sustained.

• HB 2635: Protected the rights of Pregnancy Resource Centers to operate. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2651: Limited the use of summons for misdemeanor crimes and restricted the ability to be released on their own recognizance. Vetoed and sustained.

• HB 2719: Changed the procedure for the adoption of state regulations and rules. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2727: Provided a streamlined process with limited recovery for suits brought after violations of the woman’s-right-to know act. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2731: Required the DCF to cooperate with the Inspector General investigating fraud accusations. Vetoed and Overridden by the Legislature. I voted aye.

• HB 2745: Provided a protest mechanism when revenue neutral is exceeded on property tax. Vetoed by the Governor and the veto was sustained.

This list does not include recently passed legislation. If any of these bills are of interest to you, feel free to contact me for more explanation of bill content or my vote. In total about 200 pieces of new legislation were passed. It is always my desire that this new legislation makes our state a better place.