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Minutes for SB367 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Prohibiting the use of funds provided by the United States government for the conduct of elections and election-related activities unless approved by the legislature.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 15, 2024
Jason Long, Office of Revisor of Statutes, gave an overview of the bill. He stated the bill would prohibit an election official from accepting or spending funds for the purpose of conducting an election unless approved by the Legislature, or permitted by state law. It also prohibits expenditures of such funds for election-related activities, including voter registration and voter assistance efforts. (Attachment 1)
After a period of questions and answers, the Chairman called for proponent testimony.
Proponent Oral Testimony
Stewart Whitson, Opportunity Solutions Project, spoke as a proponent of the bill. He stated the current presidential administration is attempting to interfere in the administration of elections by Executive Order 14019. He said the order commands every federal agency to use their power and resources (including Kansas state offices) to engage in get-out-the-vote efforts in close coordination with hand-selected third-party groups allied to the president's political party. He stated the bill offers a way to keep executive power out of the election process by limiting the use of federal agency funds to carry out the order. (Attachment 2)
Written Only Proponent Testimony
Gregory Seiler, DVM, private citizen, representing associated small businessmen in the Wichita area (Attachment 3)
Brett Anderson, We the People Kansas (Attachment 4)
Kari Sue Vosburgh, We the People Kansas (Attachment 5)
Neutral Oral Testimony
Clay Barker, Deputy Secretary of State, spoke as neutral on the bill. He stated the bill would have no effect on any public official except election officials. He said they already receive federal grants for specific purposes, such as election security and election administration. He also stated it is unclear what it means to "indirectly" accept or expend federal funds. (Attachment 6)
The Chairman called for opponent testimony.
Opponent Oral Testimony
Davis Hammet, Loud Light Civic Action, spoke as an opponent of the bill. He stated the bill would create a de facto ban on any Federal grants, and it's unclear what the government would be prevented from doing if there's a disaster at election time, and they need to step in. He said the Kansas government does not fund elections; the elections are run by the county government and the county commission approves the funds. He said it's fanciful conspiracies that are the motivating factor of the bill. (Attachment 7)
Opponent Written Only Testimony
Cille King, League of Women Voters (Attachment 8)
After a period of questions and answers, the Chairman suspended the hearing on SB367.
