Chairman Bergquist opened the hearing on HB2634.

Jason Long, Revisor of Statutes, (Attachment 8) gave an overview of the bill.  He explained that the bill would require landlords to comply with maintenance codes.

Representative Leah Howell, 82nd District (Attachment 9) testified as a proponent to the bill.  She explained that the bill adopts the 20212 International Property Maintenance Code as a default standard only in jurisdictions that have not enacted their own property maintenance code.

Representative Cyndi Howerton, 98th District, (Attachment 10) testified as a proponent to the bill.  She explained that this bill guarantees fundamental habitability standards - structural integrity, safe electrical systems,. functioning plumbing, and other conditions that materially affect health and safety - regardless of zip code for renters.

Michelle Ewert, private citizen,  (Attachment 11) testified as a proponent to the bill.  She explained that the bill leaves local governments the discretion to determine the building and housing code that works best for their community and provides a default only if the local government has not adopted one.

Christina Guidry, Director of Policy and Planning, United Community (Attachment 12) testified as a proponent to the bill.  She explained that the bill sets a basic floor: working plumbing, safe electrical systems, sound structures, the minimum any Kansan would expect when paying rent.

The following people provided Proponent Written Only testimony:

• Nick Blessing Staff Attorney,Kansas Legal Services (Attachment 13)
• Megan Foreman, Housing Director, Johnson County Department of Housing, Planning, and Community (Attachment 14)
• Dustin Hare, Economic Security Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children (Attachment 15)
• Talita Leikam, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)

Ed Jaskinia, President, The Associated Landlords of Kansas (Attachment 17) testified as neutral to the bill.  He explained

The following person provided Opponent Written Only testimony

• Kelsey Herr, President, Kansas Housing Association (Attachment 18)

Chairman Bergquist closed the hearing on HB2634.

Representative Bergquist asked the committee to work bills previously heard.

Representative Blex, seconded by Representative Collins to declare emergency action and pass HB2624 out favorably and be put on the consent calendar.  Motion carried.

Representative Blex, seconded by Representative Schlingensiepen to pass HB2410 out of committee favorably. Motion failed.

Meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m.