During week 10 of the Kansas legislative session, committees continued to conduct hearings and work bills still alive after Turnaround, including many bills addressing numerous child welfare issues and bills related to licensure and scope of practice for healthcare providers, eligibility for childcare assistance, and medical marijuana.
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On Monday, March 13, Gov. Kelly announced the release of the state’s most recent cancer prevention and control plan, which outlines how the state will allocate resources over the next five years to prevent cancer and reduce the burden on Kansans who have been diagnosed with cancer and their families. The plan includes proposals to increase the healthcare workforce, increase early detection, expand providers’ understanding of the resources available to patients and survivors, and reduce unhealthy behaviors. The plan was the result of an 18-month collaboration between the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Cancer Partnership (KCP). The KCP has multiple workgroups and regional coalitions that include oncologists, survivors, and advocates.
On Wednesday, March 15, the Governor announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a program to help low-income families pay for high-speed internet. The ACP is a $14.2 billion federal broadband benefit that provides eligible households a monthly discount of up to $30 per month (up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands) and a one-time $100 discount toward a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet. ACP-eligible households include families with income at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level and those who qualify for the Lifeline Program, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), free and reduced-price school lunch, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), or other government-funded programs. There are 438,634 Kansas households eligible for the ACP, but to date only 93,244 of those eligible have enrolled.
On Friday, March 17, the Governor announced that the state is receiving a $1 million, one-year federal planning grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to support the transition of community mental health centers (CMHCs) to become certified community behavioral health clinics (CCBHCs). During the 2021 session, legislators passed Senate Substitute for House Bill (HB) 2208, which established a new model for providing behavioral health services and established a process for the state’s CMHCs to become certified as CCBHCs beginning in 2022.
House Health and Human Services Committee
(Rep. Brenda Landwehr, Chair)
On Monday, March 13, the Committee worked Senate Bill (SB) 180, which had been re-referred to the Committee after it was withdrawn from the House calendar. The bill would establish the Women’s Bill of Rights and specify that for purposes of any state law or rules and regulations an individual’s “sex” means such individual’s biological sex, either male or female, at birth. The bill would state that with respect to biological sex, separate accommodations are not inherently unequal. SB 180 also would require schools, state agencies, or political subdivisions that collect vital statistics to identify individuals within the data as either male or female at birth. Following lengthy discussion of a proposed amendment, the amendment was withdrawn and action on the bill was suspended.
The Committee then held a hearing on Substitute for SB 131, which would allow an exemption from state licensure requirements for physicians and other health professionals licensed in good standing in another state when practicing medicine in Kansas on a limited basis during certain sporting events as detailed in the bill. Proponent testimony was provided by Sen. Jeff Pittman and representatives of the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, and American Medical Society of Sports Medicine. Sen. Pittman stated that Kansas is one of four states without a sports waiver as proposed in the bill. The representative for the Board of Healing Arts stated the Board was generally in favor of the waiver but offered two amendments for consideration. Written-only proponent testimony was submitted by a representative of the Kansas Chiropractic Association. There was no opponent or neutral testimony submitted. Committee members asked questions regarding taxes for sports teams entering the state, how the liability of these professionals would be handled (would be covered by their liability coverage in their home state), the current practice for allowing sports teams’ physicians to practice in Kansas, and the sporting events that would qualify under the bill.
The Committee then worked the bill and amended it to (1) replace the word “physician” with “any individual” in provisions limiting the practice of sports waiver participants in Kansas, and (2) delete provisions stating the Board may enter into agreements with medical and osteopathic licensing boards. The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
On Wednesday, March 15, the Committee held an informational briefing on HB 2453, which would enact the dentist and dental hygienist compact to provide interstate practice privileges for dentists and dental hygienists. The compact is similar to six other licensure interstate compacts enacted by the Legislature and would set minimum requirements for participation, including a criminal background check, minimum education requirements, as well as completion of a clinical assessment and continuing professional development requirements for licensure renewal. The compact would take effect when there are seven participating states. To date, six states have considered similar legislation but have not enacted it. Presentations were provided by representatives of the Council of State Governments (CSG), Association of Dental Support Organizations, Kansas Dental Association, and Kansas Dental Hygienists Association. The representative for CSG stated that the compact was created through a cooperative agreement between the federal Department of Defense (DoD) and CSG, as the DoD recognizes that interstate compacts are the best long-term solution for licensure issues for military spouses. Interested stakeholders will be meeting before the 2024 session The representative for the Association of Dental Support Organizations stated that a formal hearing on the bill is not requested at this time and interested stakeholders will be meeting to reach consensus on a bill that will be considered during the 2024 session. Committee members asked questions regarding whether out-of-state dentists licensed under the compact could own practices in Kansas, the number of professionals that could benefit from this legislation, if the compact would impact the availability of mobile dental services and adding a fee for licensure into the bill (other compact agreements include a $25 fee for an individual seeking licensure).
On Thursday, March 16, the Committee resumed work on SB 180 and considered a revised amendment to remove all the introductory “Whereas” clauses and add a new section to state that “individuals born with a medically verifiable diagnosis of disorder/differences in sex development shall be provided legal protections and accommodations afforded under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable Kansas statutes.” During discussion of the amendment, Rep. John Eplee and Rep. William Clifford responded to Committee members’ questions regarding the medical conditions that would qualify for ADA protection, the protection or rights that would be afforded for individuals with these medical conditions, the definition of disability under the ADA, and how the bill would be enforced. The amendment was approved and the bill, as amended, was passed favorably out of Committee.
Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee
(Sen. Beverly Gossage, Chair)
On Monday, March 13, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2024, which would amend the Newborn Infant Protection Act within the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children to provide an alternate means to legally surrender an infant pursuant to the Act. Proponent testimony was provided by a private citizen. Written-only proponent testimony was provided by Tanya Keys, Deputy Secretary, Kansas Department for Children and Families, and T. J. Wyssmann, Fire Chief, City of McPherson. Written-only opponent testimony was provided by a representative of the Adoptee Rights Law Center in Minnesota. Committee members asked questions regarding how authorities would know if a child was of American Indian heritage, the structure and safety features of the newborn safety device, what would happen if a parent would change their mind after surrendering an infant, organizational responsibilities for building and monitoring the newborn safety device and 24-hour monitoring, and what types of facilities could host a newborn safety device. The Committee subsequently worked the bill on March 14, and passed it favorably out of Committee.
On Tuesday, March 14, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2338, which would designate Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Week as the third full week of September and would require an annual review of the topic by an advisory council established by the Secretary of KDHE to advise KDHE on newborn screening guidelines. The bill would authorize KDHE, under the guidance of any appropriate advisory council, to develop a publicly available report from the advisory council meetings and activities. An average of six children born in Kansas each year are diagnosed with sickle cell disease. Proponent testimony was provided by a representative of the Uriel E. Owens Sickle Cell Disease Association of the Midwest, a Kansas City-based organization that serves the sickle cell community. Written-only proponent testimony was provided by Alyson Dalrymple, Deputy Director, Bureau of Family Health, KDHE. Committee members asked questions about the newborn screening panel and inheritance of the genetic mutation.
The Committee then worked HB 2033, which would change the criteria used to refer youths to juvenile crisis intervention centers (CICs) by adding definitions for “behavioral health crisis” and changing the phrase “mental health crisis” to “behavioral health crisis” in multiple statutes. In the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children, the term “behavioral health crisis” would mean “behavioral and conduct issues that impact the safety or health of a child, members of the child’s household or family, or members of the community, including, but not limited to, non-life-threatening mental health and substance abuse concerns.” The Committee approved a technical amendment to the bill and passed it favorably out of Committee, as amended.
On Wednesday, March 15, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2325, which would add maternity centers to the definition of “healthcare provider” for purposes of the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act. Currently, only maternity centers owned by a doctor or nurse midwife meet the requirements and have access to coverage under the Act. Proponent testimony was provided by an owner of a birthing center and an insurance agent. Neutral testimony was provided by Clark Schultz, Executive Director, Health Care Stabilization Fund. Committee members asked questions about the ownership of birthing centers, the proviso last year that addressed a similar bill, and the standards of birthing centers.
The Committee also held a hearing on HB 2263, which would amend a provision in the Pharmacy Act of the State of Kansas to add pharmacy technicians, at least 18 years of age and under the direct supervision and control of a pharmacist, to the list of those authorized to administer vaccinations after successfully completing a course of study and training in vaccination storage, protocols, injection technique, emergency procedures, recordkeeping, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The bill also would require a pharmacist, pharmacy student, or pharmacy intern to be at least 18 years of age to administer a vaccine. Pharmacy technicians would be added to pharmacists, pharmacy students, and pharmacy interns as authorized to administer the influenza vaccine to persons six years of age or older; and vaccines, other than the influenza vaccine, to persons 12 years of age or older pursuant to a vaccination protocol. Proponent testimony was provided by Alexandra Blasi, Executive Secretary, Kansas Board of Pharmacy, and Aaron Dunkel, Executive Director, Kansas Pharmacists Association. Blasi reported that the Board has not seen an increase in errors or complaints related to pharmacy technicians administering vaccines, and it has been a helpful addition to pharmacy services. Written-only proponent testimony was provided by several pharmacists and written-only neutral testimony was provided by the Kansas Medical Society. Committee members asked questions about pharmacy interns and training.
The Committee also worked HB 2034, which would create in the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children a program within KDHE for the training of and payment for Child Abuse Review and Evaluation (CARE) providers who conduct CARE exams. The bill would establish definitions, requirements, and procedures related to CARE examinations and CARE providers and create the CARE Fund. The bill would amend the Code to require the Secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) or a law enforcement agency, upon investigation by law enforcement or assignment by the Secretary of any investigation of physical abuse or physical neglect that concerns a child five years of age or younger, to make a CARE referral for such child. The bill would allow, in any other investigation of physical abuse, emotional abuse, medical neglect, or physical neglect conducted pursuant to the section, the Secretary, the law enforcement agency, or the agency’s designee to make a CARE referral for such child. The Committee amended the bill to (1) set the payment rate for a CARE exam in an amount not to exceed $750, (2) ban a provider found to have submitted fraudulent charges from the CARE network, (3) require the Secretary of KDHE to report such incident to the provider’s licensing board, and (4) require such licensing board to investigate whether unprofessional conduct occurred. The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
On Thursday, March 16, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2264, which would establish the No Patient Left Alone Act. The Act would establish who may visit a patient in a patient care facility and would require patient care facilities to provide for in-person visitation and provide parameters for patient care facilities as to what restrictions may be asked of visitors when visiting a patient. The bill would specify that a patient care facility would not be able to take action to prevent a patient from receiving in-person visitation from any person designated by the patient if the patient has the capacity to make such designation. If the patient does not have the capacity for such designation, the patient’s agent for healthcare decisions established by a durable power of attorney would be allowed to designate visitors. Visitors could include, but would not be limited to:
- An immediate family member, domestic partner, or significant other;
- The agent for healthcare decisions established by a durable power of attorney for healthcare decisions;
- An essential caregiver; or
- A minister, priest, rabbi, or clergyperson of any religious denomination or sect to which the patient is an adherent.
The bill would prohibit patient care facilities from preventing a patient who is terminally ill or receiving end-of-life care from receiving in-person visitation from two individuals at a time. The bill also would establish that a patient may refuse in-person visitation or revoke previously granted in-person visitation from any person at any time. The bill would provide that patient care facilities may establish visitation policies by September 1, 2023, including, but not limited to, infection control protocols and education for visitors, a set schedule of dates and times when visitation is allowed, allowable visit length, and limits on number of visitors, and would not prohibit a patient care facility from taking the steps necessary to ensure eligibility with federal programs or financial participation and would not supersede any federal laws, rules, regulations, or guidance regarding patient care facilities.
Proponent testimony was provided by Rep. John Eplee and Rachel Monger, LeadingAge Kansas, who had originally provided opponent testimony during the House Health and Human Services Committee hearing on February 7. Written-only proponent testimony was provided by representatives of the Kansas Hospital Association and HCA Midwest Health. Opponent testimony was provided by a representative of Kansans for Health Freedom and two private citizens. Written-only opponent testimony was provided by a Kansas attorney and 16 private citizens. Written-only neutral testimony was submitted by a representative of the Kansas Medical Society.
The Committee began working HB 2390, which would enact the Kansas Overdose Fatality Review Board Act and exempt materials used to test for the presence of fentanyl, ketamine, flunitrazepam, and gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) from the definition of “drug paraphernalia.” The bill would establish the Kansas Overdose Fatality Review Board to review information and data related to drug overdose fatalities in Kansas and to make recommendations regarding evidence-based strategies to prevent or mitigate the consequences of drug overdose. The bill would require the Board to be established before January 1, 2025. No final action was taken.
House Child Welfare and Foster Care Committee
(Rep. Susan Concannon, Chair)
On Wednesday, March 15, the Committee held a hearing on SB 115, which would amend law governing the notice required in a hearing on a petition for adoption in the Kansas Adoption and Relinquishment Act. The bill would reorganize and clarify provisions related to notice required for independent and stepparent adoptions, private agency adoptions, and public agency adoptions. The bill would require notice in an independent and stepparent adoption to be given to:
- The parents, presumed parents, or possible parents;
- Any person who has physical custody of the child; and
- Any legal guardian of the child.
Proponent testimony was provided by Austin Vincent, Kansas Judicial Council and a representative of Saint Francis Ministries. There was no opponent or neutral testimony. Committee members asked questions regarding the number of public agency adoptions in Kansas (948 in fiscal year 2022), the notice requirements for biological parents before an adoption is finalized, whether the bill may expedite the adoption process (yes), and the implications of the termination of parental rights.
The Committee then worked HB 2299, which would amend law in the Kansas Code for Care of Children governing orders granting custody for adoption when parental rights have been terminated and would require the court to be guided by the best interests of the child. The bill would specify when a child is placed in the custody of the Secretary of DCF for the purposes of adoption when parental rights have been terminated or relinquished, the Secretary would be required to give preference, subject to the best interests of the child, in the following manner:
- If a child has been in the custody of the Secretary for less than one cumulative year:
- First to a relative, and
- Second to a person with whom the child has close and healthy attachments.
- If a child has been in the custody of the Secretary for one cumulative year or more:
- To a placement that maintains the child’s close and healthy attachments.
The bill would allow a foster parent that is not selected by the Secretary for the adoptive placement but who meets the criteria above, to request direct placement of the child by the court and appeal such decision to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
The bill also would require the Secretary to consider a foster parent as a prospective adoptive parent when:
- The child has lived more than half of the child’s lifetime with the foster parent;
- The child has lived more than two years with the foster parent; or
- The Secretary otherwise determines it is in the best interests of the child.
The bill also would amend law governing jurisdiction of proceedings under the Code to specify if orders granting custody for adoption involve an American Indian child, the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) would apply instead of the Code.
The bill was amended to:
- Change the bills effective date;
- Make the bill’s provisions retroactive to pending proceedings on the effective date of the bill;
- Further clarify how the Secretary shall give preference to adoptive placements;
- Further clarify what data the Secretary must collect under the bill’s provisions; and
- Clarify ICWA would apply in orders granting custody involving an American Indian child.
The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
The Committee also worked HB 2194, which would enact the Representative Gail Finney Memorial Foster Care Bill of Rights within the Revised Kansas Code for Care of Children and would enumerate the rights of children in need of care in the child welfare system and the rights of foster parents. The bill was amended to:
- Specify that ICWA applies over the Bill of Rights when an American Indian child is involved in a Child in Need of Care (CINC) case;
- Add a right provided to foster youth concerning retaliation;
- Clarify a right provided to foster parents and kinship caregivers concerning discrimination;
- Specify notification requirements of the Secretary and case management providers;
- Add a definition of “kinship caregiver” to the Code; and
- Add references to kinship caregivers throughout the bill.
The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
Finally, the Committee worked HB 2443, which would establish the Office of the Child Advocate as an independent state agency and the child advocate advisory board; prescribe certain powers, duties, and functions; and allow disclosure of confidential records to the child advocate. The purpose of the office is to ensure that children and families receive adequate coordination of child welfare services, child maltreatment prevention, protection, and care through services offered by DCF or DCF’s contracting entities, the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), the Department of Corrections, KDHE and juvenile courts. The bill was amended the bill to:
- Modify membership of the Board;
- Allow for the suspension or removal of Board members and for the filling of vacancies created by such action;
- Provide for the election of Board leadership positions;
- Add a limitation with respect to complaints filed and reviewed by the Child Advocate; and
- Add an additional qualification that could be considered when appointing the Child Advocate.
The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
House Insurance Committee
(Rep. William Sutton, Chair)
On Monday, March 13, the Committee worked SB 24, which would amend the definitions of “small employer” and “large employer” in K.S.A. 40-2,194, a statute pertaining to insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorder. The bill would amend the definition of “small employer” from an average of at least one but not more than 100 employees to an average of at least two but not more than 50 employees. The bill also would amend the definition of “large employer” from an average of at least 101 employees to an average of at least 51 employees. Since there was no opposition to the bill and a motion to put it on the consent calendar was approved by the Committee.
House Federal and State Affairs Committee
(Rep. Will Carpenter, Chair)
On Thursday, March 16, the Committee worked HB 2438, which would remove the requirement that a member of the Board of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) must be a certified instructor-coordinator and instead would require a member to be actively involved in teaching initial courses of instruction for certification as an emergency medical services provider. The instructor-coordinator’s certificate is associated with the teaching of emergency medical services courses. The bill was amended to add licensed physician assistant to the definition of healthcare provider and remove outdated language related to examinations and training that is no longer available to practitioners and was passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
The committee also worked SB 116, which would create law related to firearm safety education programs conducted in public school districts. This is a companion bill to HB 2304. The Committee recommended a substitute bill incorporating the contents of HBs 2058, 2059, 2124 and 2170 (all related to wine and spirits) and deleted the provisions related to firearm safety education programs. The Committee then passed Substitute for SB 116 favorably out of Committee.
Senate Federal and State Affairs
(Sen. Mike Thompson, Chair)
On Wednesday, March 15, the Committee held a hearing on SB 135, which would create the Medical Cannabis Regulation Act. The bill would provide for licensure and regulation of the cultivation, processing, distribution, sale, and use of medical cannabis; delegate administrative duties and functions to the Secretary of KDHE, Secretary of Revenue, Board of Healing Arts, Board of Pharmacy, and Director of Alcohol and Cannabis Control; impose fines and penalties for violations of the act; establish the medical cannabis registration fund, the medical cannabis business regulation fund and the retail dispensary consultant registration fee fund; create the crimes of unlawful storage and unlawful transport of medical cannabis; and make exceptions to the crimes of unlawful manufacture and possession of controlled substances. Proponents included representatives of Kansas Natural Remedies, Kansas Cannabis Coalition, Kansas Silver Haired Legislature, Kansas Chiropractic Association, Kansas Cannabis Industry Association, Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce and five private citizens. Written-only proponent testimony was submitted by representatives of the Kansas Hemp Growers, Greenlight Corporation, Solvent Smith Consulting, Robert Anderson, Ellis County Attorney, and 15 private citizens. Neutral testimony was provided by Sen. Tom Holland; Debbi Beavers, Director, Alcoholic Beverage Control Division, Kansas Department of Revenue; Doug Jorgensen, Kansas State Fire Marshal; Courtney Cyzman, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts; and representatives of the International Association of Machinists and Kansas Chamber of Commerce. Committee members asked questions regarding the membership of the Medical Cannabis Advisory Committee, the content of THC in edibles, and the addition of new approved medical conditions.
On Thursday, March 16, the Committee continued the hearing on SB 135. Opponent testimony was provided by Sen. Mark Steffen; Brian Surber, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics; Tony Mattivi, Director, Kansas Bureau of Investigation; and representatives of the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police/Kansas Sheriffs Association/Kansas Peace Officers Association, Kansas Medical Society, Johnson County District Attorney’s Office, Culture Shield Network, American Family Action, and two private citizens. Written-only opponent testimony was submitted by representatives of Stand Up Kansas, the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, Riley County Police Department, Kansas Catholic Conference, Kansans for Health Freedom, Anchor Her, Kansas Family Voice, and 19 private citizens. Committee members asked questions regarding provisions in the bill requested by law enforcement officials, concerns about children getting access to marijuana, and a Wichita ordinance that exempts the city from prosecuting marijuana cases.
House Welfare Reform Committee
(Rep. Francis Awerkamp, Chair)
On Tuesday, March 14, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2179, which would eliminate the requirement that families receiving childcare assistance cooperate with child support services. Proponent testimony was presented by Tanya Keys, Deputy Secretary, DCF. Keys stated that Kansas is currently not in compliance with federal law that requires a family that qualifies for childcare assistance to be eligible for 12 months. She also reported that this change will require modifications to the state’s electronic information system, which will cost $500,000. However, she noted that federal funds are available to cover this expense. Written-only proponent testimony was submitted by representatives of Child Care Aware of Kansas, Kansas Action for Children, Kansas Children’s Service League, the Family Conservancy, and United Community Services of Johnson County. Opponent testimony was provided by a representative of Opportunity Solutions Project, who requested that the Committee consider an amendment to allow continuous eligibility for 12 months rather than removing the non-cooperation requirement, as provided for in the bill. This option was suggested by the federal government as a possible option to bring Kansas into compliance. Committee members asked questions regarding notices the state has received from the federal government regarding the noncompliance (two notices have been received, one each in 2021 and 2022), the potential monetary penalty for noncompliance, and clarification regarding the suggested amendment.
On Thursday, March 16, the Committee worked HB 2179 and amended the bill to maintain the periods of ineligibility for a childcare subsidy based on a parent’s non-cooperation with child support services in current law, with the exception that reviews to determine child support compliance would be limited to specific times. Deputy Secretary Keys stated this amendment would address DCF’s concerns regarding compliance with federal law. The bill also was amended to replace references to “childcare benefits” to “childcare subsidy.” Committee members asked questions regarding the impact of the amendment on child support cooperation and the application process for childcare subsidies. The bill was then passed favorably out of Committee, as amended.
The Committee also heard a presentation by Sarah Fertig, Medicaid Director, regarding Medicaid 101 and Recent Changes in Medicaid Funding, including the Medicaid eligibility redetermination process. Committee members asked questions regarding the age criteria for Medicaid eligibility, the estimated cost of expanding Medicaid, waivers, coverage for optional services, and the rates of payment for providers. Fertig also provided a detailed explanation regarding the per member per month payments made to the managed care organizations who coordinate care for KanCare beneficiaries.
Finally, Chair Awerkamp announced that a roundtable discussion regarding homelessness in Kansas will be scheduled. He stated that the goal of the discussion would be to gain an understanding of the causes of homelessness and identify realistic options to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness and help them achieve self-sustainability. Conferees will include those who have worked closely with people experiencing homelessness, representatives of the business community, and individuals working in mental health, law enforcement, city government, childcare and human trafficking.
House Appropriations Committee
(Rep. Troy Waymaster, Chair)
On Wednesday, March 15, the Committee reviewed the 21 items recommended by the Social Services Budget Committee for the KDADS budget for Fiscal Year 2024. Rep. Les Mason, referring to a handout prepared by Rep. Barbara Ballard, provided a summary of the items and a brief description of the basis for the recommendations made by the Budget Committee. Committee members did not discuss the items but Chair Waymaster encouraged the members to refer to the handout prepared by Rep. Ballard when the Committee starts to put together the Mega budget bill during the week of March 20 and to reach out to Rep. Mason, as well as Rep. Ballard and Rep. Landwehr, if they have questions about the recommendations before those discussions begin.