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10 Feb

Posted at 00:33h in Advocacy
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The Republican-majority legislature failed, this week, to take up an override vote on Governor Kelly’s veto of the tax bill, House Bill 2284. That vote is expected to come early next week. Whether, or in what form, tax relief is passed this year is still an unanswered question. This week, committees continued hearings on unemployment insurance legislation, workers compensation max benefits, various tax bills, and other issues. One issue gaining momentum in Kansas, and other states, is the issue of limiting foreign investment in real property in the state. A handful...

03 Feb

Posted at 00:19h in Advocacy
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Following Governor Laura Kelly’s swift veto of the Republican tax bill, House Bill 2284, legislative leadership worked this week to whip together sufficient votes for an override effort which will require a 2/3 supermajority vote in both the House and the Senate. The bill includes many provisions, but the key element distinguishing the bill from Governor Kelly’s tax plan is the inclusion of a single rate income tax at 5.25 percent (currently two rates exist). This provision was the cause of the governor’s veto. The bill would cost the state...

26 Jan

Posted at 21:19h in Advocacy
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This week, the Kansas legislature sent its tax bill, House Bill 2284, to Governor Laura Kelly for consideration, who on Friday afternoon, vetoed the legislation. The bill proposed a single income tax rate at 5.25 percent (rather than the current two rates), along with exemptions on the first $6,150.00 in income for individuals and $12,300.00 for couples. Additionally, it would have increased the standard deduction, provided residential property tax relief, and created a 0 percent sales tax rate on food beginning in April. The bill would have cost the state...

20 Jan

Posted at 00:46h in Advocacy
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This week, while many new bills were being introduced, the Kansas legislature’s main focus was on assembling a tax bill to send to Governor Laura Kelly. On Thursday, lawmakers passed Conference Committee Report on House Bill 2284 which includes a single (5.25 percent) income tax rate on individuals, an increase to the standard deduction, residential property tax relief and a 0 percent sales tax rate on food beginning in April of this year. The bill, which would cost the state $550 million ($1.6 billion over the first three years), is likely to...

12 Jan

Posted at 21:03h in Advocacy
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The 2024 Kansas legislative session began on January 8, and we were honored to be at the capitol throughout the week to greet new members and welcome back returning legislators on your behalf. This year marks the second year of our legislative biennium, meaning all bills introduced in 2023 will still be alive and actionable, in addition to any new bills introduced this year. Republicans still hold a supermajority in the House under Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita) and in the Senate under Senate President Ty Masterson (R-Andover). A handful of Republican...

15 Dec

Posted at 14:28h in Industry News
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association President and CEO Ron Seeber was elected chairman of the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City at the group’s annual meeting held December 14, 2023. Kristie Larson, Strategic Relationship Manager, The DeBruce Foundation, was elected vice chairman. Seeber assumed his current position with the three associations in 2017 after working for the groups since July 2008. An expert in state and federal legislative affairs, Seeber also worked for Senator Bob Dole in policy and political capacities.  He has spent his entire career in the regulatory arena. Kristie Larson...

01 Sep

Posted at 14:30h in Industry News, Regulatory
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On August 29, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) announced a final rule amending the 2023 definition of “waters of the United States” to conform with the recent Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. EPA. The agencies claim this action provides clarity, while moving forward with infrastructure projects, economic opportunities, and agricultural activities. “While I am disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision in the Sackett case, EPA and Army have an obligation to apply this decision alongside our state co-regulators, Tribes, and...

09 Aug

Posted at 16:52h in Advocacy, Industry News
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To assist in its efforts to increase awareness and support for carbon capture sequestration in the Kansas biofuels industry, Renew Kansas Biofuels Association has joined the American Carbon Alliance (ACA). The ACA is formed to be one unified voice for carbon capture pipelines, ethanol producers, landowners, farmers, construction trade workers and citizens that embrace this new energy future for America. “Implementing carbon capture and sequestration will provide Kansas ethanol plants with additional value," Renew Kansas President and CEO Ron Seeber said. "It will continue to ensure Kansas biofuels are economically viable and...

07 Aug

Posted at 14:59h in Industry News
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The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) is hosting Local Consult events across Kansas throughout the month of October. KDOT has announced the opportunity to discuss issues/needs related to freight and rail. Local Consult is KDOT’s public engagement process for the IKE program. It takes place every two years to get Kansans’ input on a list of transportation projects for each region. It’s also an opportunity to strengthen local partnerships, to better understand which KDOT programs matter most to communities, and to get feedback on how the agency can improve program and...

09 Jun

Posted at 17:40h in Advocacy, Industry News
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Renew Kansas Biofuels Association has joined a coalition of renewable fuel supporters in supporting the Next Generation Fuels Act which places an emphasis on transitioning light duty vehicles to use low carbon, high octane fuels to cut costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality and increase fuel efficiency. The legislation being introduced in Congress would require retailers and automakers to incorporate devices into fueling equipment and vehicles that ensure vehicle compatibility with the new fuels and prevent misfuelling. It would also require all new refueling infrastructure to be compatible with...

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