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Minutes for SB2 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Validating the election results for the bond issuance question submitted by the board of education of USD 200, Greeley county, at a special election held on May 21, 2024.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 11, 2025
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 2. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 3)
John Niehues, Superintendent for USD 200, spoke in support of the bill as it would allow his district to proceed with a bond issue that was approved by voters in May 2024. No notice was posted to a county election website, as required by law, because they have no website. This issue was self reported to the Attorney General's office and this bill would rectify the situation. Mr. Niehues responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 4)
Christy Hopkins, Owner and Editor of the Greeley County Republican newspaper, testified as a proponent of the bill. Her newspaper provided extensive coverage of the special election on the school bond and the community knew full well the vote was coming. Additionally, the notice was posted on her newspaper's website. (Attachment 5)
Clay Barker, Deputy Secretary of State, stood in favor of the bill, as amended by the Senate Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics. The statute was never intended as a mandate for a county to have to create a website if it did not have one. Also, there is longstanding precedent for the legislature declaring local elections valid. (Attachment 6)
Shannon Kimball, Kansas Association of School Boards, testified in support of the bill, as amended, as it will ensure that the will of the voters in Greeley County is carried out. (Attachment 7)
Written only testimony in support of the bill was submitted by Attorney General Kris Kobach. (Attachment 8)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 2.
