The new Board of Regents will continue to govern the state's six public universities. The 19 community colleges and 11 area vo-tech schools will retain their own boards for governance, but state supervision will shift from the State Board of Education to the new Board of Regents. The revamped board also will coordinate the programs of Washburn University of Topeka and the state's 17 private colleges and universities. It was the first time the Legislature has approved multiyear spending on schools, and some lawmakers worried that funds might not be available for the hike the second year. Much of that would go toward refundable income tax credits for property taxes that oil producers pay on low-producing wells.
Many legislators believe the state's so-called water czar has nearly unchecked authority.
Graves has signed this bill into law. The appropriations bills include millions of dollars for schools, juvenile justice and home care services for the disabled. The law now requires bonds for economic development projects to be paid off within 20 years. Permit consumers who are denied coverage by health insurers to appeal to the Insurance Department to have their claims reviewed by an independent panel of doctors. Increase the penalties for manufacturing illegal drugs.