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Minutes for SB424 - Committee on Education
Short Title
Establishing the office of education inspector general.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 15, 2018
Chairperson Baumgardner called the meeting to order.
Tamera Lawrence, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, provided a memorandum on SB424. This bill would establish the Office of Education Inspector General within the Office of the State Treasurer and would provide the duties and responsibilities of such office. (Attachment 1)
The Committee asked clarifying questions and Mrs. Lawrence responded.
Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook provided proponent testimony. She noted that this legislation will give Kansas citizens the assurance that their K-12 education tax dollars are being distributed according to state law. (Attachment 2)
Senator Ty Masterson provided proponent testimony. Senator Masterson stated that if we are to have any credibility in anything we do here, the citizens of Kansas simply must have confidence that we are allocating their dollars according to the laws their representatives enact, and allocations must be made according to law. Senator Masterson wrote in his testimony and noted in Committee that being appointed by the State Treasurer and not the Governor or the Legislature, it ensures there is a separation that will keep the position from being politicized and instead focus it on the singular, yet critical task of ensuring accountability over these critical expenditures. (Attachment 3)
Kurt Knutson provided proponent testimony as a Kansas citizen. Mr. Knutson is also on the Kansas State Banking Board, as well as on the Kansas Bankers Association, where he is the Chairman of the State Affairs Committee. Mr. Knutson read from his two-page testimony, which focused on accountability. (Attachment 4)
Dave Trabert, Kansas Policy Institute, provided proponent testimony. Mr. Trabert noted that the illegally ordered $45 million in transportation funding indicates the need for an ongoing independent audit of the Department of Transportation. He further discussed other justifications for this bill. (Attachment 5)
The Committee asked clarifying questions of proponent conferees.
Chairperson Baumgardner called on opponents to testify.
Leah Fliter, Kansas Association of School Boards, provided opposition testimony. Her written testimony detailed the points of concern that the KASB has. She noted that her members have not taken a specific position of this measure, however it runs contrary to their general positions. (Attachment 6)
Jim McNiece, Kansas State Board of Education, presented that the State Board stands in opposition to this bill. (Attachment 7)
The Committee asked clarifying questions on the steps that each of the conferees has taken such as investigations and meetings.
Chairperson Baumgardner closed the hearing on SB424.
Senator Pyle asked if communication to the State Board of Education has occurred where they contacted the school districts to inform them of the over appropriations in the statutory requirements to return the money. Mr. McNiece stated that they had and the districts were aware.
Chairperson Baumgardner closed the hearing.
