The Kelsey Smith Act passed through both houses of the Kansas Legislature last week, as legislators prepared to wrap up conference committee items and leave for a break on Friday.
The act requires wireless carriers to provide the location of a cell phone or other telecommunication device if requested by law enforcement in an emergency situation. The act evolved from the kidnapping and murder of Kelsey Smith by former Emporian Edwin Hall.
The Legislature also expanded the social hosting bill to include penalties for recklessly allowing a person’s land, building or structure to be used by minors to consume alcohol.
State Sen. Jim Barnett said a bill also passed that would allow consumers to put a security freeze on their credit reports when identity theft is suspected.
“It’s a little bit of a twist so consumers can request a freeze more easily on their credit report on identity theft,” Barnett explained. “In the past, it would require a police report to do it. By the time you go through that, it may be too late.”
The Legislature also raised the state’s minimum wage from $2.65 an hour to $7.25 per hour by July, which will bring the state to parity with the federal minimum wage.
“Kansas has been noted as one of the few states with such a low minimum wage, so I think that’s good legislation as well,” Barnett said.
Both houses also sent a bill to the governor that would bump up the age for an unrestricted driver’s license from 16 to 17 years of age, and limit the number of underage passengers in teen driver’s vehicles. The bill also prohibits the teens from using cell phones and other communication devices while driving. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius signed the bill into law on Friday. It takes effect Jan. 1.
Barnett said that agreement was reached Thursday night on a budget that reduces base state aid to public schools to $33 per student .
“The Regents will actually receive an increase in funding in the range of $6 to $9 million,” Barnett said. “Some of these details are still pending.”
Classified state employees would receive a “market level catch-up” in their wages, along with longevity pay, under a bill approved last week.
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program — SCHIP — was funded by the Legislature, which also restored funds to safety net clinics that had been reduced in Sebelius’ budget, Barnett said.
“There are some parts of the budget pending including funding the slider payment and other payments returning state dollars to local units of government,” Barnett said. “That will be handled in omnibus session when we go back in May.”
Barnett said the Legislature made significant progress in balancing the budget, while making health care more available and affordable.
“I’m pleased to see that progress occur during a very difficult time,” he said.
While lawmakers in general are pleased with the budget bill, they await an April 17 revenue estimate that could lead to more cuts.
Rep. Don Hill said the budget has to balance, and using current revenue estimates it actually shows a surplus.
“The extent to which the numbers on April 17 may differ, there is widespread concern that the numbers will be lower than the projections we’re currently working with, and we will have to go back and either cut additional expenses or identify additional revenue,” Hill said.
Pingeon (anonymous) says...
Why is raising the state's minimum wage such good legislation? It was another way to avoid budget problems and spend time elsewhere. There isn't anybody making minimum wage of $2.65/hour. Tips are counted in the hourly wage and if it doesn't reach the minimum level, the employer makes up the difference. If a business in engaged in interstate commerce (which is pretty hard not to do these days), they are already covered by the federal min. wage. They should have dropped the state's minimum wage and let the federal take over.
March 30, 2009 at 6:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )