Kansas Governor signs revised COVID-19 bill

On Monday afternoon, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed into law a bi-partisan COVID-19 response bill, a bill created to address the ongoing COVID-19 situation and its economic and health effects. The bill also gives the Legislature the ability to engage in oversight while not in session, meanwhile providing Governor Kelly the emergency authority to act as needed during the pandemic.

“From day one, my administration has worked keeping Kansans healthy, and protecting the economic future of Kansas’ businesses and communities,” she said. “That means reaching across the aisle to get things done. This bill contains essential provisions that will allow us to continue to deliver critical health and economic services to communities and businesses throughout the state during this pandemic.”

Governor Kelly went on to say the bill will allow the Legislature to protect resources for businesses and residents of Kansas to aid in economic recovery, as well as implement infrastructure to prevent another outbreak like COVID-19.

Although received with some criticism due to claims of the bill being created behind closed doors by legislative leaders, the signed bill gives Kelly emergency pandemic authority through Sept. 15 and prevents Kelly from closing businesses for more than 15 days without legislative approval.