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Minutes for SB493 - Committee on Commerce
Short Title
Prohibiting cities and counties from regulating plastic and other containers designed for the consumption, transportation or protection of merchandise, food or beverages.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 17, 2022
Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB 493.
Staff provided an overview of the bill.
Proponents:
Kent Eckles on behalf of the Kansas Chamber, spoke in favor of the bill, (Attachment 1) The bill is designed to enact statewide uniformity regarding the regulation of plastic.
Zachary Taylor, Director, American Recyclable Plastic Bag Alliance, testified in favor of the bill. (Attachment 2) The bill would establish and preserve statewide uniformity for auxiliary container regulation in Kansas.
John Monroe, Kansas Beverage Association, spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 3) Th bill preempts local units of government from imposing taxes, bans, or other restrictions upon the sale of single-use plastic products; this will provide for a consistent an uniform standard for consumers and businesses across the state.
Scott Schneider, Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association, (KRHA) appeared in favor of the bill. (Attachment 4) If the only way for businesses in the State of Kansas can have a predictable, scalable, and cost effective business model is to pass a state-level preemption, then KRHA supports that action.
Becky Schwartz, Executive Director, Fuel True Independent Energy & Convenience, spoke in favor of the bill. (Attachment 5) The bill is about uniformity across the state.
Daniel Murray, Kansas State Director, National Federation of Independent Business, (NFIB) testified in favor of the bill. (Attachment 6) This bill provides the regulatory certainty that NFIB small businesses want, need and deserve.
Written tetimony in support of the bill was provided:
Jason Watkins on behalf of the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. (Attachment 7)
Opponents:
Zack Pistora, Legislative Director and State Lobbyist, Kansas Sierra Club, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 8) The bill does nothing positive as a substitute for local ordinances and until a state program is established to reduce plastic and other single-use waste, cities should be given the opportunity to try proactive solutions in their community. Mr. Pistora the bill does not respect home rule and democracy.
Lori Lawrence, Wichita, Kansas, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 9) Only the governing body knows what is best for their cities, do not take that Constitutional right away from the cities and towns. Home Rule allows each municipal to self-govern what they decide to do with their waste.
Written testimony in opposition to the bill was provided by:
Sarah Chenoweth, Management Intern, The League of Kansas Municipalities. (Attachment 10)
Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director, Kansas Interfaith Action. (Attachment 11)
Brandy Johnson, Executive Director, Kansas Organization of Recycles. (Attachment 12)
Kathy Richardson, Interim Sustainability Director, City of Lawrence. (Attachment 13)
Stuart Little, Little Government Relations, on behalf of Northeast Johnson County cities of Merriam, Mission Prairie Village and Westwood Hills. (Attachment 14)
JC Moore of Clearwater, Kansas (Attachment 15)
Teresa Wilke, Lawrence, Kansas (Attachment 16)
Kent Rowe, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 17)
Kelly Johnston, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 18)
Margaret Kramar (Attachment 19)
Alan Bauman, Prairie Village, Kansas (Attachment 20)
Jane Byrnes, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 21)
Tad Kramar, Big Springs, Kansas (Attachment 22)
Susie Scott, Wichita, Kansas (Attachment 23)
Nancy Muma, Lawrence, Kansas (Attachment 24)
Felix Revello, Larned, Kansas (Attachment 25)
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 493.
The next meeting is February 21, 2022. The meeting was adjourned at 11:33 am
