Topeka, KS– Today, Governor Laura Kelly signed House Bill 2717 into law and vetoed Senate Bill 161, Senate Bill 199, and Senate Bill 493.
The following statement can be attributable to Governor Laura Kelly regarding HB 2717:
“The responsibility to address our broken immigration system rests with Congress and cannot be resolved at the municipal level. Both Republicans and Democrats in Washington have failed to address immigration issues for decades. We need a national solution and we need it now.
“I encourage my colleagues who sent me this bill to persuade our federal delegation to pass comprehensive immigration legislation that allows us to continue growing our economy and meeting our workforce needs here in Kansas.
“Kansans who rely on local government IDs to vote, such as veterans, the elderly, and people with disabilities will be adversely affected by this law. The Legislature needs to send me a trailer bill that ensures these folks can continue participating in our democracy.”
The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 199:
“After reviewing this bill, I still have concerns about how it will hurt Kansas families. The plans provided under this bill do not cover pre-existing conditions and do not provide consumer protections. As a result, one medical emergency could cause a Kansas family to spiral into bankruptcy.
“We already know that the solution to provide health care access for all Kansans, to bring thousands of jobs to our state, to save small businesses money, to protect our rural hospitals, and inject millions into our economy… is expanding Medicaid.
“I encourage the Legislature to work with me to improve Kansans’ access to affordable health care and join the 38 other states in expanding Medicaid.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 199.”
The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 161:
“I support advancements in technology to enhance our transportation network and delivery services. However, Senate Bill 161 allows delivery service businesses to operate large robotic delivery devices on sidewalks with few safety precautions. These precautions are particularly important in residential areas.
“This bill does not clarify who is responsible for enforcing rules and regulations related to personal delivery devices other than requiring an annual fee and a certification form with minimal information. The provisions around minimum liability are also ambiguous and unclear in their application.
“The Legislature must address these safety concerns before this bill becomes law. I’m ready to work with lawmakers on legislation that allows us to take advantage of technological advances while ensuring the safety of all Kansans.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 161.”
The following veto message is from Governor Laura Kelly regarding her veto of Senate Bill 493:
“The disposal and regulation of solid waste is traditionally a public policy issue that Kansans decide at the local level with input from local businesses, waste management providers, and private citizens. As this bill advanced through the process, no evidence was provided demonstrating why the Legislature had a compelling public interest to repeal city and county local control and home rule over these matters.
“This issue is a local decision, and it should be left to local governments based on what’s best for their constituents, stakeholders, and businesses in their community.
“Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto Senate Bill 493.”
