April 18, 2025

Kansas Land and Military Installation Protection Act, SB 9, prohibits foreign adversaries from purchasing property within 100 miles of a military installation and any foreign adversary ownership of non-residential real property purchased prior to July 1, 2025, will have to register with the Attorney General’s office.  The bill would also require Kansas government agencies to purchase American-made or allied-made drones or drone technology.  The bill didn’t go as far as some of us would like, but it is much better than not doing anything to block China and others from infiltrating Kansas even more.  SB 9 passed the Senate 38 to 1.  I voted Yes.  The Governor signed it into law.

Conservation Districts funding caps will be doubled in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 and the States’s matching funding will also double, limited to $50,000 per district because SB 39 became law.  Conservation districts were established in 1937 after the Dust Bowl.  The districts are local units of government within a county for conservation of soil, water, and other natural resources.  County commissioners may levy a property tax to provide additional funding for the operation of a conservation district.  This did not change in SB 39.  The bill passed the Senate unanimously.  

Web-based Insurance Verification will be allowed as CCR 42 will be law.  There were several provisions in CCR 42, but the main provision was establishing the Kansas Real Time Motor Vehicle Insurance Verification Act, putting insurance data in an online centralized system allowing for easy verification of insurance.  I understand the convenience of a web-based centralized system and I also understand the vulnerabilities of this type of system.  Do you remember what happened last year with the Kansas Judicial centralized system?  It was hacked and down for several weeks, so I did not support CCR 42.  However, it passed because convenience was the priority, not data security.  It passed 39 to 1.

Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission name will be changed to the Kansas Public Disclosure Commission.  We need to be strengthening the Commission’s role, not weakening it.  HB 2206 passed the Senate 32 to 8, and the Governor signed it into law.  I voted no.

Special Elections will only be held the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March, or on the same day as a general, or primary election (November or August) as HB 2022 is now law.  Currently, special elections and mail ballot elections (such as for school bonds or special sales taxes) can occur at any time, creating waste for the taxpayer and causing confusion for voters.  HB 2022 makes it simple and will save counties hundreds of thousands of dollars in special elections.  During testimony, we heard Sedgewick County spent over $136,000 on one special election.  I supported this legislation.  It passed the Senate 29 to 11 and was signed into law.

It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your 12th District State Senator.

NEWS

Linn County News website gets new update

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Recently you may have seen our notification on our website or our Facebook page that we were undergoing some changes on our website at www.linncountynews.net. We here at the News are happy to announce those changes are nearly complete. Changes to the website include an easier... [More]

Commissioners vote 1-1 on motion to not exceed revenue neutral

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County now required to cut budget to meet the RNR rate BY $837,000   The Linn County commissioners, with Commissioner Jason Hightower absent, began the revenue neutral hearing on Monday, Aug. 25, by welcoming those in the audience and stating the purpose and objective... [More]

Linn Valley looks at option for fire truck purchase, new vehicles

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The Linn Valley City Council held a special meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, with Mayor Lew Donelson presiding and all council members present except for John Weers. City Attorney James Brun was also present. The meeting began with a presentation by city’s financial... [More]

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SPORTS

Frog gigging a new ‘old sport’

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It’s another one of those…So…stories. So, last weekend was an adventure. I’ve gotten involved with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks Wild Foods Academy (WFA) that is a pilot program designed to educate many ‘left-0ut’ people’s... [More]

Fishing Derby kicks off at Linn County Fair

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The annual Linn County Fair and Rodeo Fishing Derby was held on the morning of Aug. 9.  Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks fish biologist Don George has been heading the derby since 1987 and this year was no different.  The derby was divided into three age... [More]

Linn County Farm Bureau hosts annual pedal pull

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The Linn County Farm Bureau Association hosted the annual kids’ pedal pull on the evening of Aug. 8. Kids 4 to 12 can compete in the event for a chance to earn a spot at the State pedal pull at Hutchinson.  Trophies and a place at the State fair was awarded to the... [More]

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COMMUNITY

Local family offers drawing lessons for kids in online broadcast

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After he and his family relocated to the Pleasanton area from Denver, Colo., Eddie Nouri began working from home as a graphic artist. “I am blessed to be able to work from home,” said Eddie of his position, noting the many different things he has designed over the... [More]

First aid safety with Joe Stellwagon

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I recently met one of Linn County’s EMS paramedics to talk about first aid and why it’s important. The paramedic’s name is Joe Stellwagon, and before we talked about first aid, I wanted to learn a little bit about him and why he became a paramedic. Joe works... [More]

Vonnie May’s Ice Cream Shoppe open in Mound City

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Walking into Vonnie May’s Ice Cream Shoppe gives those who can’t wait to partake of old-fashioned ice cream a vision of what an old-time ice cream parlor would have been like. Now, that ice cream parlor is open at 510 W. Main in Mound City. Brady and Leslie Wolfe,... [More]

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