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Minutes for SB11 - Committee on Legislative Modernization
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 Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Chair Wasinger call the meeting to order at 9:00am and introduced the guests in the gallery.
Chair Wasinger opened the hearing on SB11 at 9:01am.
Gordon Self, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of SB11 and the statutes that it affects. There is a Fiscal Note for SB11.
Senator Elaine Bowers, 36th District, Kansas Senate, appeared before the Committee in support of SB11. (Attachment 1) The bill would transfer approval authority from the Capitol Area Plaza Authority to the Capitol Preservation Committee. Under current law, the Ad Astra Sculpture Fund has been established; however, the bill would designate the fund as a no limit special revenue fund. No state monies will be used in the completion of the project. The bill would take effect upon its publication in the Kansas Register.
Randall Hardy, former Kansas Senator District 24, Salina KS, appeared before the Committee in support of SB11. (Attachment 2) When he was state senator some thought it was a good idea to have a life-sized statue on the Statehouse grounds to give visitors an up-close view of the statue on top of the dome. Work on the plaza was authorized and begun. But when the work on the dome was completed, donations for the Ad Astra Plaza dried up, and work on the plaza stopped. The Plaza went dormant, and it has been in its current unfinished state for the last two decades. As it is, the Plaza is an embarrassment to the state of Kansas and the Statehouse grounds. If finished, 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.
Chair Wasinger closed the hearing on SB11 at 9:18am.
The Chair asked for a motion to suspend the rules and take action on SB11. Representative Rhiley moved and Representative Robinson seconded the motion to suspend the rules and take action on SB11. Motion passed.
In response to a question Rich Bergen, the son of the artist of the Ad Astra statue and Linda Beuer, Bergen's Art, appeared before the Committee and stated that the Native Americans in Kansas have support the raising of this statue. The statue will be approximately 8 foot-two inches tall.
Representative Murphy moved to favorably pass SB11 and that since it is uncontroversial in nature be placed on the Consent Calendar. Representative Carpenter seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Representative Carpenter requested that his bill introduction 23RS1007 be rescinded. The Revisor of Statutes had determined that the bill was not needed. The request was accepted without objection.
Chairperson Wasinger adjourned the Committee at 09:26am.
