Kan. Gov. signs Unemployment Insurance bill

TOPEKA -- Governor Mark Parkinson has signed legislation to protect Kansans' unemployment benefits and ease the financial burden on businesses as the state works its way through the national recession.

"This legislation is critical to Kansans during these difficult economic times. Our Unemployment Trust Fund offers a lifeline to those who are struggling to find work and depend on benefits to provide for their families," said Parkinson. "With this bill, businesses will receive the necessary relief in providing to the fund, while Kansans needing assistance will be able to maintain their benefits. I appreciate the great work of Labor Secretary Garner and the bipartisan effort of the legislature for helping find a compromise that helps employers and unemployed Kansans."

HB 2676 will reduce contribution rates for employers in rate group 1 through 32 to the 2010 original tax rate computation table. Contributing employers in rate groups 33 through 51 remain at their current capped rate of 5.4 percent. In addition, HB 2676 gives employers 90 days past the due date to pay their contribution taxes without being charged interest. This bill goes into effect upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

Governor Parkinson also signed an additional five bills today, bringing the total number of bills signed during the 2010 legislative session to 14.

Concerning state purchasing laws and regulations

HB 2433 extends a three-year pilot program exempting the University of Kansas and Fort Hays State University from state purchasing laws and regulations, including the Prison Made Goods Act. The bill also broadens the exemption to all Regents universities, the University Press and certain real estate leases. The program was set to sunset on June 30, 2010. HB 2433 also authorizes the Secretary of the Department of Corrections to sell prison-made goods to private residents and businesses of Kansas. The bill takes effect upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Concerning court procedure, time limitations for filing

HB 2364 will add "days on which the court is not accessible" to the list of days excluded from time limitations for filings and court procedures. Currently, time limitations exclude Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays when the court is not open for business. The bill takes effect upon its publication in the Kansas Register.

Concerning motor vehicle liability coverage

HB 2492 will amend a provision in the Kansas Automobile Injury Reparations Act to require insurance companies to add the make and year of an insured vehicle to the list of information required to be included on insurance identification cards. The bill takes effect upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Designating the 1st Lieutenant Michael Hugh Breeding memorial bridge

HB 2436 would designate bridge no. 62 located on U.S. Highway 77 in Marshall County as the Michael Hugh Breeding Memorial Bridge. 1st Lieutenant Breeding's plane was shot down near the Quang Tri Providence in Vietnam on February 12, 1970. His body was never recovered. The bill takes effect upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.

Designating the SFC David R. Berry/SGT WillSun M. Mock memorial highway

HB 2555 would designate part of K-14 highway, U.S. Highway 160 and K-2 highway as the SFC David R. Berry/SGT WillSun M. Mock memorial highway. The bill takes effect upon its publication in the Kansas Statute Book.