Legislative Coordinating Council 05/26/2026

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Mr. Speaker.

[00:00:02]Majority Leader Blazy.

[00:00:07]Speaker pro tem poor Carpenter.

[00:00:10]Here.

[00:00:12]Majority Leader Croft. Here.

[00:00:14]Speaker Hawkins. Here.

[00:00:17]President Masterson.

[00:00:19]Here.

[00:00:20]Vice President Shallonberger.

[00:00:23]Here.

[00:00:24]Minority Leader Sykes. Here.

[00:00:27]Minority Leader Woodard.

[00:00:32]Mr. Speaker, we do have a quorum.

[00:00:35]Okay, we have a quorum, so we will start on our business.

[00:00:38]Uh today we're here for one item and one item only, and that is consideration of the request by the governor for an extension through June 7th of the state disaster emergency declaration issued by the governor on May 12th related to public health.

[00:00:53]I'm going to call on the uh governor's representative, Chief of Staff Will Lawrence.

[00:01:04]Thank you, Mr. Speaker, members of the coordinated council. Uh Will Lawrence, Governor Kelly's Chief of Staff.

[00:01:09]Appreciate this opportunity, and if you're wondering why you got 2 days in a row um of LCC meetings, that's my fault.

[00:01:17]Um thank you for being here.

[00:01:18]Um before you, you should have a copy of the governor's uh emergency declaration, um the written request for extension, um as well as a FAQ document as to laying out the process and and why we are here.

[00:01:33]Um the uh bottom line on this is on May 12th, the governor issued a declaration uh related to the hantavirus. Um we have three individuals in the state um who came in close contact and have needed some monitoring during this period of time.

[00:01:49]Um and so on May 12th, in coordination with um KU Med and the CDC, uh we did move them to KU Med for some closer monitoring for a period of time.

[00:02:01]Um and then I believe it was last week, they were discharged. Um at that point in time, it was believed they could go back to the residence and be there safely. They are voluntarily isolating um during this period of time, but we have to get to June 7th because the incubation period or the monitoring period is 42 days. Um and so the declaration expires at midnight tonight.

[00:02:26]And so what the governor is asking for is opposed to a full 30-day extension, um just for 12 days to get us to that period of time.

[00:02:34]Um I believe we are on day 31 of monitoring these individuals. Um and so June 7th gets us through that period of time um and hopefully we won't need to take any further action.

[00:02:48]Um they are doing well, they're asymptomatic at this point in time and they're staying in contact with us on a daily basis, so we're monitoring that.

[00:02:55]Um but if things change, if we need to transport them um or anything like that, we need to have the declaration in place just so we can move quickly. And with that, I'll stand for any questions.

[00:03:05]Questions.

[00:03:07]Yeah, I have one, Dan.

[00:03:08]Yeah, go ahead, Senate President.

[00:03:10]Yeah, just real quickly because of the sensitivities of what went on during COVID, I just want to make sure we're not nobody's being held you know, um put in quarantine against their will. Everything's voluntary. And just I want to understand that status.

[00:03:24]Since their My understanding is no one is showing symptoms, i.e. not sick. I just want to make sure nobody's being held not sick against their will. Mr. Lawrence. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Um Mr. President, um yes, that is correct. Um this is all voluntary. Um they have been um working with us very well to report every day any potential symptoms, things like that. Um and so based on that and based on their ability to um keep themselves, you know, there's three of them so they are together but staying away from other individuals during this period of time but that is all voluntary and no one is being held without their consent.

[00:04:06]Thank you.

[00:04:07]Further questions?

[00:04:11]Uh Senate President Shalaberger.

[00:04:13]Uh thank [clears throat] you Mr. Speaker. I just just want to see if I wrap my head around that. We got three people none of whom are sick who may have been in contact with somebody who may have been in com- may not have been sick and we consider that an emergency in the state of Kansas.

[00:04:34]Mr. Speaker. Yes. Um thank you Mr. Vice President. So what's happened here is that these three individuals were on a flight with someone who was symptomatic um sitting in front of them.

[00:04:48]And so and this person ultimately um got off the airplane, did test positive for hantavirus and did pass away. And so they were in close contact by definition of the CDC who did the contact tracing contacted them and contacted us which is what brought the situation forward. And so the reason for the declaration is because one we did transport them to KU Med for further monitoring during that period of time. Um and um in the event that we would need to this is all there in case we need to coordinate um and if the locals need anything they can utilize this as well but that is the purpose for what's happening today.

[00:05:30]Okay. Thanks.

[00:05:32]Any further questions?

[00:05:37]Majority Leader Croft.

[00:05:39]Thank you Mr. Chair. I move we approve the governor's request for a 12-day extension through June 7th 2026 of the emergency declaration.

[00:05:48]Is there any discussion on the motion? A second uh seconded by uh Majority Leader Blazy. Is there any discussion on the motion?

[00:05:58]Seeing none, uh Mr. Day, would you call the roll?

[00:06:04]Majority Leader Blazy. Aye.

[00:06:07]Speaker pro tem Carpenter. Aye.

[00:06:10]Majority Leader Croft. Aye.

[00:06:12]Speaker Hawkins. Aye.

[00:06:14]President Masterson.

[00:06:16]Aye.

[00:06:17]Vice President Shellenberger. No.

[00:06:20]Minority Leader Sykes. Aye.

[00:06:23]Minority Leader Woodard.

[00:06:25]Aye.

[00:06:28]Mr. Speaker, seven ayes, one nay.

[00:06:33]The motion passes.

[00:06:35]And with that, we are adjourned.