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Minutes for HB2644 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Designating the Sandhill plum as the official state fruit.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 10, 2022
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2644. The Revisor provided an overview of the bill. A question was asked by Representative Garber.
Chairperson Barker recognized Hannah Huffman as a proponent on HB2644 (Attachment 1). She stated that the Sandhill plum is native to Kansas and can be made into many tasty treats. It is also reliable because it produces a harvest every year. Questions were asked by Chairperson Barker and Vice-Chairperson Arnberger.
Jake Menold testified as a proponent (Attachment 2). He stated that Kansas is one out of 19 other states that does not have a state fruit. the Sandhill plum bush can be grown for a windbreak, wildlife habitat, and water erosion control. It can be made into wine, jam, and jelly. Representative Moser had a question for the proponent.
Evva Deters was recognized by Chairperson Barker as a proponent on HB2644 (Attachment 3). She stated that last year the fourth grade class at Sabetha Elementary thought Kansas needed a state fruit. they narrowed the fruit options down to four -- the American persimmon, the mulberry, the Sandhill plum, and the gooseberry. The students wrote essays on which fruit they preferred and then students from 24 schools voted. The Sandhill plum was the winner. Questions were asked by Representatives Penn and Howell.
Chairperson Barker recognized Tanith Montgomery as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 4). She stated that when they discovered that Kansas did not have a state fruit, they did a lot of research and they believe the Sandhill plum should be made the state fruit.
The Chair recognized Tyson Detweiler as a proponent on HB2644 (Attachment 5). He stated that kids from all over Kansas have voted and they chose the Sandhill plum as the state fruit. The Sandhill plum was discovered by Native Americans. The Sandhill plum is sweet, easy to grow, and leaves a great taste in your mouth. Representative Moser had a comment.
Olivia Savaria testified in favor of HB2644 (Attachment 6). She stated that the Sandhill plum should be the state fruit of Kansas because it is widespread and common throughout the state. It also can tolerate drought better than most fruits grown in Kansas. Representative Miller had a question.
Birkley Hernandez was recognized by Chairperson Barker as a proponent (Attachment 7). He stated that the Sandhill plum is the best fruit for Kansas because it is popular and native to Kansas. Questions were asked by Representatives Penn and Clayton.
Chairperson Barker asked Mr. Milholland of the Kansas Legislative Research Department to give an overview of how many bills are introduced in the Kansas Legislature in a session and how many actually get passed and signed by the Governor. Mr. Milholland stated that he pulled up the statistics from the 2021 session. Between the House and the Senate, 769 bills were introduced. Of those bills, 15.1 percent, or 116, of those bills became law. He also looked back to the 2017-2018 session. There were approximately 1,300 bills introduced, of which between 10-15 percent of those bills became law each year.
Chairperson Barker encouraged the children to come to the Capitol and take a tour, to serve as pages to the Legislature when they get a little older, and to get involved in state government.
Chairperson Barker asked Mr. Hamilton of the Office of Revisor of Statutes to explain what the revisors do.
The Chairman recognized Grant Stapleton as a proponent on HB2644 (Attachment 8). He stated that the Sandhill plum bush grows three to four feet high and four to six feet wide. It houses and feeds birds, which is great for hunters and bird watchers. They also grow throughout the state.
Chairperson Barker recognized Teghan O'Rourke as a proponent (Attachment 9). He stated that the Sandhill plum is a native species. It grows wild and can be planted in many types of soil. The bush can live for 15 to 25 years.
The Chairperson allowed the children to ask questions of the Committee members.
Chairperson Barker noted that there was written proponent testimony from Harley Brown, Valley Falls Elementary (Attachment 10); Selah Aberle, Sabetha Elementary (Attachment 11); and Brantley Brunk, Sabetha Elementary (Attachment 12).
Chairperson Barker thanked the children and the teachers for getting involved in this process.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
