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Minutes for SCR1606 - Committee on Local Government
Short Title
A constitutional amendment to grant counties home rule powers.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 23, 2021
Revisor Jason Long provided a brief overview of SCR 1606, granting home rule power to counties within Kansas. Mr. Long answered questions from the committee.
Riley County Commissioner Greg McKinley testified as a proponent to SCR 1606 and suggested the resolution would officially establish statute within the Kansas Constitution the opportunity for counties to formally operate on a home rule basis. (Attachment 3)
Jay Hall also testified as a proponent to the bill and stressed the important of an official home rule doctrine for Kansas counties. Discussion ensued. (Attachment 4)
Aaron Popelka, Kansas Livestock Association, testified as an opponent to the bill. Mr. Popelka claims the current state of county home rule works as intended and the bill would harm the livestock industry. (Attachment 5)
Allie Devine, Kansas Farm Bureau, also testified as an opponent to the bill. Ms. Devine shared similar concerns raised by Mr. Popelka, but stressed concern over the excess authority that would be granted to the individual counties if the bill were to succeed. Ms. Devine answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 6)
Written testimony in support of SCR 1606 was submitted by:
Commissioner John Ford, Chair of Board of Commissioners (Attachment 7)
Commissioner Kathryn Focke, Riley County Commissioner (Attachment 8)
Written testimony against SCR 1606 was submitted by:
Shahira Stafford, Kansas Cooperative Council (Attachment 9)
Randy Stookey -- Joint: Kansas Grain and Feed Association, Kansas Agribusiness Retailers Association, and Renew Kansas Biofuels Association (Attachment 10)
Tim Stroda, Kansas Pork Association (Attachment 11)
With no additional conferees or order of business remaining, Chairperson McGinn adjourned the meeting at 10:28AM. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 25 at 9:30AM.
