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Minutes for SB487 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Authorizing the department of administration to issue bonds to renovate the Docking state office building and construct and equip a department of health and environment laboratory on parking lot No. 4 of the capitol complex in Topeka.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 16, 2020
Chairperson McGinn opened the hearing on SB 487. Jill Wolters provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Secretary DeAngela Burns-Wallace testified in support of this bill and, more importantly, in support of the conversation. The bill aligns with one of the four viable options that was presented to the Committee earlier this session. It meets the future needs of the state and supports the needs of KDHE and the Lab facility as well as those of downtown Topeka. Her Department stands ready to execute whatever the legislature decides but taking action is in the best interest of the state. Secretary Burns-Wallace responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 2)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (Attachment 3)
Vince Frye, Downtown Topeka, Inc. (Attachment 4)
Senator Marci Francisco spoke as a neutral conferee. Now that we have options and alternatives for the Docking Building and the KDHE Lab, it is time for the legislature to act. Now more than ever we need to provide more appropriate facilities. She is neutral because she believes this bill provides a reasonable way to address concerns, however, she asks that the Committee consider the option to renovate the entire Docking building and include space for KDHE offices and Lab in that renovation. The Docking Building structure is in good condition and this plan would be completed earlier than the one proposed in the bill. (Attachment 5)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson McGinn closed the hearing on SB 487.
