House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB11 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Reauthorizing the placement of a life-size version of the "Ad Astra" sculpture on state capitol grounds, transferring the approval authority to the capitol preservation committee and making appropriations for the department of administration for FY 2023.
Minutes Content for Wed, Jan 25, 2023
Jason Long, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, gave an overview of the bill, explaining SB11 would authorize the Capitol Preservation Committee to develop and approve the "Ad Astra" plaza on the capitol area grounds and to approve the design and placement of the statue, transferring those authorities from the Department of Administration and The Capitol Area Plaza Authority, respectively. The project is to be funded by gifts, grants, bequests, and other donations.
The Chairman called for proponent testimony on the bill.
Proponent oral testimony
Senator Bowers spoke as a proponent of the bill. She gave description of the Committee on Capitol Preservation, and explained there is an empty pedestal on the southwest side of the statehouse grounds with no statue on top. There is a plaque affixed to the pedestal stating it "showcases an 8' 2" exact replica of the Ad Astra statue which sits at the top of the dome". The statue is currently in Salina at Bergen's Art LLC, and it was determined the artist was never paid for the statue. There are bricks laid in the plaza with the names of donors who helped complete the dome project, and more are stored with the statue at Bergen's Art. If the bill passes the legislature, fund raising would begin, and a special fund has been established for donations. (Attachment 1)
Patrick Zollner, Kansas Historical Society, Chair, Capitol Preservation Committee, spoke as a proponent of the bill. He reiterated Sen. Bowers' testimony, and stated $10,000 has already been raised. "We are not asking for state funding to complete this project; however, this legislation is needed so funds can be donated to an account within the State Treasury", and will allow a project that was started over 20 years ago to finally be completed. (Attachment 2)
Randall Hardy, former State Senator, spoke as a proponent of the bill. In 2017 as a newly elected Senator, he toured the capitol grounds and came across the plaza and noticed names on bricks that were familiar to him and an empty pedestal, with a plaque affixed. There was supposed to be a life size statue on the pedestal; a replica of the statue on top of the dome. He stated the work on the plaza continued until the statue was installed on the dome. At that time, the funding stopped on the plaza. He explained the project has been dormant for 20 years and is "an embarrassment to the statehouse grounds", when it could be a "glorious magnet for curious visitors wanting a better understanding of both the sculpture on top of the dome and history of Native Americans in Kansas". He also stated the project will cost approximately $400,000, which will be enough to provide maintenance as well. (Attachment 3)
There was a period of questions and answers following each conferee's testimony.
There was no neutral nor opponent testimony.
Seeing no more questions, the Chairman closed the hearing on SB11.
