Sebelius Signs Legislation to Bring Renewable Energy Jobs to Kansas

Press Release

Sebelius signs legislation to bring renewable energy jobs to Kansas

To help attract new jobs and businesses related to renewable energy, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has signed a bill to modify the Kansas Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act.

"To recover from this economic recession, we must look to new industries and new opportunities. Renewable energy companies are a perfect fit for Kansas as we're the third best state in the nation for wind energy and we have a trained and able workforce," Sebelius said. "Kansas wind can provide the energy we need and create sustainable jobs right here at home."

In January, Governor Sebelius and Lieutenant Governor Parkinson presented their proposals for a Kansas comprehensive energy plan. Among those suggestions was the legislation the governor signed today.

SB 108 revises the Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act to provide certain economic incentives to eligible wind or solar energy projects. Eligible projects are those relating to the research, development, engineering or manufacturing of a business component or product for either the wind or solar energy industries. An eligible project would also require a minimum of $30 million of proposed investments in Kansas. Additionally, the project would have to employ a minimum of 200 full-time employees within five years, at an average salary of at least $32,500.

This legislation also expands the definition of an eligible aviation business under the Kansas Economic Revitalization and Reinvestment Act to include an entity that has an average annual gross Kansas compensation of at least $150 million. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

The governor signed an additional nine bills today, bringing the total number of bills signed in the 2009 Legislative Session to 55.

Kansas Tort Claims Act
SB 8 amends existing law to include medical students enrolled at the University of Kansas Medical Center who are in clinical training at the University of Kansas Medical Center or other health care institutions in the definition of employee under the Kansas Tort Claims Act. The provisions of the bill are retroactive to July 1, 2008 and go into effect upon publication in the Kansas Register.

Clarifies compliance requirements for the Kansas Pharmacy Act
SB 16 amends existing law to clarify that the donation, acceptance, transfer, distribution or dispensing of any drug in compliance with the provisions of the Cancer Drug Repository Program and the Utilization of Unused Medications Act do not constitute a violation of the Pharmacy Act of the State of Kansas. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Statutory exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA)
SB 34 extends the 30 statutory exceptions to the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) until July 1, 2014. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Regarding hospital districts in Linn County's Mound City
SB 38 requires that whenever a petition requesting the formation of a hospital district is signed by at least 10 percent of voters of the Mound City Township and Paris Township and is filed with the Linn County Board of Commissioners, the board must submit the proposition at an election. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Concerning Kansas investments in major projects and comprehensive training program
SB 120 allows program costs under the Investment in Major Projects and Comprehensive Training (IMPACT) Program to include wages for new or retained employees during education or retraining. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

Enacts Business Entity Transactions Act (BETA)
SB 132 enacts the Business Entity Transactions Act and amends several statutes pertaining to limited liability companies and partnerships organized in Kansas. This legislation makes provisions for business entities to merge, convert, exchange equity and domesticate. This legislation also facilitates transactions and creates new filings with the Secretary of State. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Concerning water fees and their distribution
HB 2050 establishes application fees for term permits and increases applications fees to appropriate water and for storage of water. This legislation also removes the provision which sunsets the water appropriation fees on June 30, 2010 and would establish a $20 enrollment fee per year for a water right in the Water Rights Conservations Program. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Reciprocal deposits instead of securities for public monies
HB 2185 allows local governments and the Pooled Money Investment Board to deposit public funds with banks that participate in a reciprocal deposit program. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Collecting child support from licensed professionals
HB 2201 places restrictions on a professional license holder when that person owes past due child support equal to, or greater than, three months of child support. This legislation will become effective upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

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