Today, Mon., March 23, Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly issues several new one executive order replacing one previously issued and a revised order.

Gov. Kelly’s replacement order amends her original foreclosure and eviction ban and makes it clear those bans only apply if the cause for nonpayment is “explicitly” due to a financial hardship indirectly or directly caused by COVID-19. 

Gov. Kelly also reduced the number of people who can gather to 10 people  She said she made that decision based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and  modeling from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) that projected cases of COVID-19 in Kansas to sharply rise to a range of 300 to 900 by the end of the month.

Kelly extended her ban from utilities discontinuing services to include trash removal and recycling for both commercial and residential properties, if the business or resident is experiencing significant loss of income or increase in expenses resulting from COVID-19.

Kelly also issued an order extending the deadline for both driver’s license and vehicle registrations during the pandemic.  All driver’s license renewals and vehicle registrations extended by this Executive Order must be completed within 60 days of the expiration of the order. 

Kelly extended tax filing deadlines to July 15, 2020, and waived any interest and penalties for returns and payments made on or before July 15, 2020.   In the event the State of Disaster Emergency originally proclaimed on March 12, 2020, is lifted or expires prior to July 15, 2020, Kelly gave the Department of Revenue shall “appropriate discretion” to waive the penalties and interest for payments made up to July 15, 2020.