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Minutes for HB2448 - Committee on Legislative Modernization
Short Title
Creating the legislative compensation commission and prescribing powers and duties of the commission and the legislature.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 13, 2023
The Chairperson opened the meeting with the hearing on HB2448, creating the legislative compensation commission and prescribing powers and duties of the commission and the legislature. The Revisor presented the bill brief on HB2448 to the committee. (Attachment 1) (Attachment 2) At request of the Chairperson, Director Tom Day was asked to address some questions during the question-and-answer period that followed.
The Chairperson invited proponent for HB2448, Jason Watkins of the Wichita Chamber of Commerce, to provide his reason for supporting the bill. Proponent Watkins explained the primary reason for introducing HB2448 is a belief in representative democracy. Mr. Watkins defined representative democracy as having who serves as a legislator be determined only by being elected to serve by the voters. Mr. Watkins explained a belief that legislators should not be elected to become wealthy nor should be put into extreme financial hardship but by being willing to serve their constituents. For the purpose of clarity Mr. Watkins said this bill does not raise legislator salaries; it sets up a commission of independent citizens that will study and determine what should be legislative pay. (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4) At request of the Chairperson, Director Tom Day was asked to address some questions during the question-and-answer session that ensued.
The Chairperson pointed out that proponent Michael White has provided written testimony. (Attachment 5)
The Chairperson then called for any opponents or anyone neutral to HB2448 to come forward and provide testimony. No one responded. The Chairperson closed the hearing on HB2448.
Representative Carpenter moved to suspend the rule in order to work HB2448. Motion was seconded by Representative Penn. The motion carried.
Representative Carpenter moved to amend HB2448 to clarify the timing. Motion was seconded by Representative Penn. The motion carried.
Representative Schreiber moved to add a technical amendment to HB2448 to include the word salary per Revisor's discretion. Motion was seconded by Representative Robinson. The motion carried.
The Chairperson opened SB229 to be worked. Representative Carpenter moved to remove the contents of SB229, and replace it with the contents of HB2448 as amended, be placed in house substitute for SB229. Motion was seconded by Representative Penn. The motion carried.
Representative Carpenter moved his motion to pass the house substitute of SB229, favorably for passage. Motion was seconded by Representative Howerton. The motion carried.
The Chairperson asked if there was any other business to be brought before the committee. No other business was requested. The Chairperson adjourned the Committee at 09:42 am
