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Minutes for HB2719 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Amending the definition of "service-connected" for the KP&F retirement system.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 5, 2018
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2719. Jason Long, Revisor, provided an overview of the bill (Attachment 1).
Chairperson Barker recognized Representative Eber Phelps as a proponent of HB2719 (Attachment 2). He urged the Committee's support of this bill because firefighters have an increased risk of cancer than the general public. Those in the legislature should do everything possible to ensure their safety and good health.
Robert Wing, testified as a proponent of HB2719 on behalf of the Kansas State Council of Fire Fighters (Attachment 3). Firefighters are at a significant risk for cancer. It is the leading cause of line-of-duty deaths among firefighters. A 2013 study by the National Institute of Occupational Study and Health (NIOSH) found firefighters have a 14 percent increased risk of dying from cancer as compared to the general population. It has been widely asked why now this sudden effort over the last few years since cancer has been recognized in existing law. In the past firefighters did not use self-contained breathing apparatus or air packs. Back then the thought was that firefighters were more apt to contract lung cancer because of the amount of smoke taken in. The research now indicates that there is no protection because toxins enter in through the skin, and there is no total protection for firefighters.
Chairperson Barker recognized Ed Klumpp as a proponent of HB2719 (Attachment 4). Although this bill is about firefighters, police are also exposed to Hepatitis C and carcinogens in their line of work. They are in support of this bill. Questions were asked by Chairperson Barker and Representative Miller.
Representatives Ruiz and Humphries had questions for Mr. Wing.
Chairperson Barker noted there were no opponents. He recognized Alan Conroy of KPERS to provide informational testimony on HB2719 (Attachment 5). The changes in HB2719 lists the cancers considered service-connected as cancers of the brain, skin, digestive system, hematological system or genitourinary system. It also lays out the requirements for Hepatitis C to be considered service connected. For most police and firemen (KP&F) members, there is no difference between service-connected and non-service connected benefits. For any disability, these members receive 50 percent of their final average salary each year until the member is eligible for retirement. Their final average salary may be recalculated to the benefit of the member if they have been disabled for a long period of time.Questions were asked by Representatives Carpenter, Smith, and Lusk, and Chairperson Barker.
Chairperson Barker noted that there was written neutral testimony on HB2719 from Kevin Flory of the Kansas State Firefighters Association (Attachment 6).
The hearing was closed on HB2719.
