Ron Ryckman Jr.

Ron Ryckman Jr. is an American politician. He represents the 78th District in the Kansas House of Representatives, and serves as the Speaker of the House. He was first elected in 2012 and is the son of former state representative Ron Ryckman Sr.. He previously served on the Olathe City Council from 2009–2017.[1]

Ron Ryckman
Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 9, 2017
Preceded byRay Merrick
Member of the Kansas House of Representatives
from the 78th district
Assumed office
January 2013
Preceded byEd Trimmer
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)Kim Ryckman
EducationMidAmerica Nazarene University (BA)

Ryckman currently chairs the Interstate Cooperation Committee, and serves as vice-chair of the Legislative Coordinating Council and the House Committee on Calendar and Printing Committee. He also serves as a member on the House Legislative Budget Committee.[2]

He previously served as the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, a position he assumed in January 2015. He is the former House Majority Whip and a former chairman of the House Social Services Budget Committee.[3]

Early life

Ryckman was born and raised in Meade, Kansas. He attended MidAmerica Nazarene University as a student athlete, where he received his bachelor's degree. He later started several small businesses in the Johnson County area.

Transparency

In 2018, Ryckman instituted a new set of rules to end the century-old practice of the anonymous introduction of bills in the Kansas House. Any individuals including legislator, lobbyist, advocate, or organization that request the introduction of legislation is now posted publicly and visibly on the Legislature's website. This change was made in effort to improve transparency within the Legislative Branch.[4][5]

Welfare Reform

In 2013, Ryckman sponsored legislation to require welfare recipients undergo drug testing. Specifically, only individuals who are suspected of using illegal drugs would be required to be tested. Any individual who is tested and fails to qualify can request a second test, and can be reimbursed for that test. This legislation was signed into law by Governor Sam Brownback in April of that year.[6]

Personal life

Ryckman was born and raised in Meade, Kansas, and later attended MidAmerica Nazarene University as a student athlete. He and his wife Kim have three children.

References
  1. Kliewer, Laura. "Stateline Profile: House Speaker Ron Ryckman" (PDF). CSG Midwest. Council of State Governments.
  2. "Representative Ron Ryckman - Speaker of the House". 2019-2020 Legislative Session. Kansas Legislative Information System and Services.
  3. "Representative Ron Ryckman". 2016 Special Session. Kansas Legislative Information System and Services.
  4. Koranda, Stephen. "Kansas House Speaker Makes Change To End Anonymous Bills". KMUW, Wichita's NPR Station. 89.1 Wichita Public Radio.
  5. Thomas, Judy; Bauer, Laura; Woodall, Hunter. "Kansas House speaker orders committee chairs to start revealing who is behind legislation". The Kansas City Star. The Kansas City Star.
  6. Brent, Winstrom. "Kansas House approves bill establishing drug testing for welfare, unemployment recipients". The Wichita Eagle. The Wichita Eagle.
Political offices
Preceded by
Ray Merrick		 Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives
2017–present		 Incumbent
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