Pub. 8 2019 Issue 2

l e a d i n g a d v o c a t e f o r t h e b a n k i n g i n d u s t r y i n k a n s a s 10 2019 KBA’S HAROLD A. STONES PUBLIC AFFAIRS CONFERENCE K BA Chairman Chris Donnelly, Bank of the Prairie in Olathe, welcomed over 150 Kansas Bankers to the Topeka Country Club for the 2019 Harold A. Stones Public Affairs Conference on Wednesday, February 6. Special guest Naomi Camper, Chief Policy Officer for the American Bankers Association, greeted Kansas bankers and shared ABA views during her session, “Federal Perspective on the Banking Industry.” Years of banker advocacy finally paid off with the passage of the bipartisan regulatory reform bill and with this fresh perspective came a renewed commitment to tailoring banking rules. Camper stated that the ABA has a long history of working with members of both parties to develop commonsense solutions facing these industries. She also provided insight into the ongoing conflict between federal and state laws regarding cannabis. With cannabis now legal in 33 states, banks are struggling with whether and how to serve marijuana growers, dispensaries and other related businesses. Following her addressing the group, she sat down with Doug Wareham and Kathy Taylor of the KBA for some Q & A where she welcomed additional questions. Discussion took place on why credit unions remain exempt from paying state and federal taxes, non-bank competition as well as rehabilitating the industry after the financial crisis. Mike Beam, Secretary of Kansas Department of Agriculture, gave a talk on current agricultural issues facing our state. Again, reiterating the hemp controversy also outlined by Camper, he shared information on the Industrial Hemp Research Program. In April 2018, Kansas Legislature passed a law allowing for the licensing of growers, distributors and processors of industrial hemp as part of a research program. The Kansas economy is directly linked to water and Beam stressed that it is a finite resource and a top priority for the Department of Agriculture. Without it, we will not be able to sustain our state’s needs and potential growth. Tyson Oakes (FirstOak Bank, Independence) and Paul Bures (Country Club Bank, Prairie Village). Naomi Camper (ABA Chief Policy Officer) during her presentation, “Federal Perspective on the Banking Industry.” KBA’s SVP-Government Relations Alex Orel gives an update on the association’s legislative priorities. Shan Hanes (Heartland Tri-State Bank, Elkhart), Eric Stofer (KBA SVP-Chief Financial Officer) and Sara Girard (Central National Bank, Topeka). Senate President Susan Wagle, Speaker of the House Rep. Ron Ryckman and House Minority Leader Rep. Tom Sawyer participate in a legislative panel.