An Act relating to state officers and employees; concerning political activity by state officers and employees in the classified service; amending K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-2953 and re- pealing the existing section.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-2953 is hereby amended to read as follows: 75-2953. (a) No officer, agent, clerk or employee of this state shall directly or indirectly use their authority or official influence to com- pel any officer or employee in the unclassified and the classified services to apply for membership in or become a member of any organization, or to pay or promise to pay any assessment, subscription or contribution, or to take part in any political activity. Any person who violates any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a class C misdemeanor, and, upon con- viction, shall be punished accordingly. If any officer or employee in the classified service is found guilty of violating any provision of this section, such officer or employee shall be automatically separated from the serv- ice.

(b) Any officer or employee in the state classified service shall resign from the service upon filing as a candidate for an elective office, unless the elective office filed for is a township elective office, a county elective office, an elective office in the judicial branch of government or is elected on a nonpartisan basis. ``Elective office'' shall not mean or include the office of precinct committeeman or precinct committeewoman.

(b) Any officer or employee in the state classified service shall resign from the service prior to taking the oath of office for a state elective office.

Sec. 2. K.S.A. 1995 Supp. 75-2953 is hereby repealed.

Sec. 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the Kansas register.

Approved May 3, 1996.

Published in the Kansas Register: May 16, 1996.