Kansas Senate on Transportation
Political Deep Dive
Most people are more aware of who is in Washington D.C. controlling the federal government; however, those at the state level are lesser known, and yet they have more control over the lives of Kansans. Through our Political Deep Dives (PDD), you can see how YOUR representatives have voted on key issues that affect your day-to-day life. In this PDD, we will be focusing on Kansas Senate on Transportation.
This information is available thanks to justfacts.votesmart.org and ballotpedia.org
(Political Party, District number, Voted Yes/No/Did not vote)—Names that are crossed out are representatives that voted on these issues but, for one reason or another, are no longer in the Kansas Senate.
**If you are unsure what district you are in, you can click here to find out.
SB 313 - Authorizes Use of Driverless Vehicles - Kansas Key Vote (May 13, 2022)
Dennis D. Pyle (R,1,N), Marci A. Francisco (D,2,N), Tom Holland (D,3,N), David Haley (D,4,N), Jeff Pittman (D,5,N), Pat Huggins Pettey (D,6,N), Ethan Corson (D,7,N), Cindy Holscher (D,8,N), Beverly Gossage (R,9,Y), Mike Thompson (R,10,Y), Kellie Warren (R,11,Y), Caryn Tyson (R,12,N), Richard Hilderbrand (R,13,Y), Michael A. Fagg (R,14,Y), Virgil Peck Jr. (R,15,N), Ty Masterson (R,16,Y), Jeff Longbine (R,17,Y), Kristen O’Shea (R,18,Y), Rick Kloos (R,19,Y), Brenda S. Dietrich (R,20,Y), Dinah H. Sykes (D,21,N), Tom Hawk (D,22,N), Robert S. Olson (R,23,N), Jeremy Ryan Claeys (R,24,Y), Mary Ware (D,25,N), Dan Kerschen (R,26,Y), Gene Suellentrop (R,27,Y), Mike Petersen (R,28,Y), Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D,29,N), Renee Erickson (R,30,Y), Carolyn McGinn (R,31,Y), Larry W. Alley (R,32,Y), Alicia Straub (R,33,N), Mark B. Steffen (R,34,N), Richard Wilborn (R,35,Y), Elain S. Bowers (R,36,Y), Molly Baumgardner (R,37,Y), Ronald Ryckman Sr. (R,38,Y), John Doll (R,39,Y), Rick Billinger (R,40,Y)
SB 313 passed the Kansas Senate with a 23 yes to 17 no vote. All 11 Democrats unanimously voted against the bill along with 6 Republicans. All politicians that voted on this bill are currently still in office. This bill authorizes driverless-capable vehicle on public highways if vehicle meets the following conditions (Sec. 2): The vehicle is capable of achieving minimal risk condition if a malfunction of the automated driving system occurs; While in driverless operation, the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with the applicable traffic and motor vehicle safety laws; When required by federal law, the vehicle bears the required manufacturer's certification label indicating that at the time of the manufacture the vehicle has been certified to be in compliance with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards; and The driverless capable vehicle cannot exceed 34,000 pounds on tandem axles.
Dennis D. Pyle (R,1,N), Marci A. Francisco (D,2,Y), Tom Holland (D,3,Y), David Haley (D,4,Y), Steve Fitzgerald (R,5,Y), Pat Huggins Pettey (D,6,Y), Kay Wolf (R,7,Y), Jim Denning (R,8,Y), Julia Lynn (R,9,Y), Mary Pilcher-Cook (R,10,N), Jeff Melcher (R,11,Y), Caryn Tyson (R,12,Y), Jacob LaTurner (R,13,N), Forrest J. Knox (R,14,Y), Jeff King (R,15,Y), Ty Masterson (R,16,Y), Jeff Longbine (R,17,Y), Laura Kelly (D,18,DNV), Anthony M. Hensley (D,19,Y), Vicki Schmidt (R,20,Y), Gregory A. Smith (D,21,Y), Tom Hawk (D,22,Y), Robert S. Olson (R,23,Y), Tom Arpke (R,24,Y), Michael O’Donnell (R,25,N), Dan Kerschen (R,26,Y), Leslie D. Donovan Sr. (R,27,Y), Mike Petersen (R,28,Y), Oletha Faust-Goudeau (D,29,Y), Susan Wagle (R,30,Y), Carolyn McGinn (R,31,Y), Steve E. Abrams (R,32,Y), Mitch Holmes (R,33,Y), Terry Bruce (R,34,Y), Richard Wilborn (R,35,Y), Elain S. Bowers (R,36,Y), Molly Baumgardner (R,37,Y), Garrett Love (R,38,Y), Larry R. Powell (R,39,N), Ralph Ostmeyer (R,40,Y)
SB 117 received 34 yes votes from the Kansas Senate, 5 no votes from the Kansas Senate, and current Governor Laura Kelly who was representing Kansas Senate District 18 did not vote. The 7 Democrats that did vote unanimously voted in favor of this bill. The 5 no votes were unanimously Republican with the other 27 Republicans voting in favor of this bill. A total of 16 Kansas Senate members that voted on this bill still hold their seat. Of those, 15 voted yes, and Republican Dennis D. Pyle from district 1 is the single one to vote no. Highlights of the bill include:
Defines “transportation network company” (TNC) as a licensed corporation, partnership, or entity that uses a digital network to connect a passenger to a TNC driver (Sec. 2).
Requires a TNC driver to have primary automobile liability insurance coverage in the following amounts when not engaged in a prearranged ride (Sec. 8):
At least $25,000 for property damage;
At least $50,000 for death and bodily injury per person; and
At least $100,000 for death and bodily injury per incident.
Requires a TNC driver to have primary automobile liability insurance coverage in the amount of $1,000,000 for death, bodily injury, and property damage when engaged in a prearranged ride (Sec. 8).