To increase access to health care in medically underserved areas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius Friday signed legislation expanding the Medical Student Loan Program.

“All Kansans should have access to affordable, quality health care,” Sebelius said. “The Medical Student Loan Program helps make college more affordable for future doctors while bringing health professionals to areas of the state that are underserved. Expanding this program to include geriatric medicine is good news for older Kansans.”

HB 2297 requires one year of service in a rural or medically underserved area must be completed to continue receiving loans or scholarships through the Medical Student Loan Program and the Osteopathic Medical Service Scholarship Program. Geriatric medicine is now included in the list of approved postgraduate residency training programs. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

The Governor signed an additional 27 bills today bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2009 Legislative Session to 45.

Designating an Army Reserve Memorial Highway

SB 5 designates a portion of US Highway 160 as the “1011th Quartermaster Company US Army Reserve Memorial Highway.” This designation is from the east city limits of Independence to the junction of US-160 & US-169. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Repealing statutes which establish the At-Risk Education Council

SB 40 eliminates the At-Risk Education Council, which fulfilled its statutory duty in October 2006. The council studied the needs of at-risk students and made recommendations on how to close the achievement gap and make at-risk programs more effective in Kansas. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Establishing a risk based capital trend test calculation

SB 50 creates the “risk based capital trend test calculation.” This tool will assist the Kansas Insurance Department in determining if a company is able to pay its debts and in monitoring potential trends toward its insolvency. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding letters of good standing at the Secretary of State of Kansas

SB 86 amends current law to eliminate the requirement that the Secretary of State charge a corporation a fee for a letter of good standing. A letter of good standing is an uncertified statement issued by the Secretary of State’s Office stating that a business entity is qualified and in good standing. Since the Secretary of State’s office already requires a fee for the request for a certificate of good standing, this reduces redundancies. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Allowing firefighters to temporarily blockade any public highway

SB 115 gives firefighters the authority to temporarily blockade any public highway while in the discharge of their official duties. Under current law they are only permitted to do so while firefighting. The bill also replaces the term “firemen” with “firefighters.” This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding salvage vehicles

SB 122 reduces the classification of a rebuilt salvage vehicle by two classes. This applies to any title for a rebuilt savage vehicle issued on and after January 1, 2010. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding antique vehicles

SB 123 allows the owner of a registered antique vehicle to display a model year license plate that was originally issued by a city in Kansas. The plate may be displayed in lieu of a state-issued license plate on the rear or front of the vehicle. Reproductions of these license plates are also allowed. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Amending the Viatical Settlements Act of 2002

SB 137 specifies that the Viatical Settlements Act of 2002 will not preempt, supersede or limit any provision of the Kansas Uniform Securities Act. The bill preserves the authority of the Office of the Securities Commissioner to investigate violations of the Kansas Uniform Securities Act in regards to viatical investments. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Establishing the Kansas Silver Alert Plan

SB 148 establishes the Kansas Silver Alert Plan, which provides for the public notice of a missing elderly person. The bill authorizes a prompt broadcast or timely search and will be implemented by the Attorney General in collaboration with state and local law enforcement, along with other public and private agencies and organizations. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

Regarding close corporations

SB 156 amends current law to increase the number of allowable members in a close corporation from 30 to 35. This conforms to the number specified in other Kansas Statutes and the US Securities Act of 1933. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Modifying the Woman’s Right-to-Know Act

SB 238 modifies the Woman’s Right-to-Know Act by requiring physicians who utilize sonogram equipment in connection with an abortion procedure to inform the woman that she has the right to view the ultrasound image. It also requires physicians who utilize heart monitor equipment in connection with an abortion procedure to inform the woman she has the right to hear the fetal heartbeat. Finally, SB 238 requires facilities in which abortions are performed to post certain notices, and requires KDHE to make information regarding fetal development available in printed, electronic and video format. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regulating mortgages and mortgage loan originators

SB 240 brings Kansas into compliance with the US Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, containing certain federal requirements applicable to the state regulation of mortgage loan originators. The central goal is to facilitate mortgage regulation by implementing a nationwide mortgage loan originator registry to encourage uniform applications and reporting requirements for loan originators. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Amending postsecondary technical education statutes

HB 2003 codifies provisions that have previously been included in appropriations bills provisos regarding development of a funding model for postsecondary technical education. The bill also updates references to federal law and replaces outdated terminology. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Permitting Regents to authorize awarding of funds and waivers

HB 2007 permits Regents to authorize the awarding of fellowships, scholarships, and tuitions/fee waivers to both undergraduate and graduate students. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding the Topeka/Shawnee County Riverfront Authority

HB 2157 amends state law to allow the Topeka/Shawnee County Riverfront Authority to meet quarterly, or more often if called by the chairperson. Currently the law requires the authority to meet monthly. The legislature created the authority in 2006. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding dealer-hauler full-privilege licenses plates

HB 2188 allows a dealer-hauler full-privilege license plate to be used by a trailer manufacturer or dealer instead of a regular trailer registration and license plate. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Increasing criminal supervision fees

HB 2207 amends current law to increase the amount collected from an individual who is charged with a crime and released on supervision under the conditions of an appearance on bond. The amount increases from $10 per week to $15 per week. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Increasing the members on the corrections advisory board

HB 2232 amends current law to increase the maximum number of members on the corrections advisory board to 15 people (and increase of 3 members). Additionally, the board of county commissioners will now be authorized to appoint up to six members to the board. Currently, they are able to appoint a maximum of three members. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding certified public accountants

SB 2339 allows out-of-state CPAs to practice in Kansas without having to be individually licensed; this is called the mobility of practice privilege. Also, this bill clarifies Board of Accountancy’s investigative and subpoena powers, along with increasing its ability to recoup reasonable costs and fees. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

Amending requirements for title insurance agents

HB 2054 requires each title insurance agent to submit an annual audit within 30 days of the calendar year close. Under current law, agents must submit their annual audit within 160 days of the calendar year close. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Modifying Regents admission standards

HB 2197 authorizes Regents to set standards that deviate from the state statutes as they relate to admission. Any standards that are more rigorous could not go into effect prior to the first day of the fourth academic year following the year they were adopted. Under this bill, Regents must report by January 31 to the Legislature the number and percentage of transfer students during the preceding academic year. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Extending the deadline for income tax apportionment qualification

HB 2270 authorizes the Secretary of Revenue to extend the deadline by which a manufacturer could qualify for an optional income tax apportionment formula for a maximum of six months. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Amending sales tax law

HB 2321 expands the definition of “political subdivision” within sales tax law to include the Horsethief Reservoir Benefit District. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Amending and reorganizing drug crimes under the criminal code

HB 2236 moves the drug crimes from the Public Health chapter to the Crimes and Punishments chapter of the Kansas Statutes Annotated. This bill is the product of the Kansas Criminal Code Recodification Commission, which was created by the 2007 Legislature. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding private detectives

HB 2311 adds licensed private detectives to the list of those people who could complete service of process inside or outside of Kansas. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Facilitating communication between regulatory authorities of motor carriers

HB 2023 allows the Director of Motor Vehicles to revoke, suspend, cancel, refuse or retrieve a license plate, as well as issue or renew a registration certificate under licensing and registration related statutes, upon notice from the Kansas Corporation Commission that an intrastate motor carrier’s operating authority has been terminated or denied by the commission. This legislation will be come effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Amending the Kansas Real Estate Brokers’ & Salespersons’ License Act

HB 2068 amends the Kansas Real Estate Brokers’ & Salespersons’ License Act. Among other revisions, this legislation revises the definition of “office” to include any permanent location regularly used for real estate business; authorizes the Real Estate Commission to designate a course of study to fulfill any specific education requirements; and allows the commission to pursue disciplinary action for violations of the Act even if the licensee is not engaged in a real estate transaction. This legislation will be come effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.