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Minutes for HB2160 - Committee on Local Government, Transparency and Ethics
Short Title
Enacting the municipal employee whistleblower act to provide statutory protections for municipal employees who report or disclose unlawful or dangerous conduct.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 13, 2025
Chairperson Bowers opened final action on HB2160. Charles Reimer, staff revisor, reviewed the bill.
Senator Blew distributed and explained a balloon amendment. (Attachment 1)
Senator Blew moved, Senator Clifford seconded, to adopt the balloon amendment. After discussion, Senator Blew with permission from the second, withdrew her motion.
Senator Pettey distributed a balloon amendment and noted the amendment meets what was indicated through written testimony from the City of Overland Park during the hearing on the bill. (Attachment 2) Mr. Reimer discussed the proposed changes.
Senator Pettey moved, Senator Clifford seconded, to adopt the balloon amendment. Discussion ensued. Jay Hall, Deputy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties, and Spencer Duncan, Government Affairs Director, The League of Kansas Municipalities, provided comments and addressed questions from the Committee. It was suggested to divide the amendment.
Senator Titus moved, Senator Bowser seconded, to divide the amendment and take the first box of language,"or due to a corrupt motive rather than a good faith concern for wrongful activity."Motion carried.
Senator Titus moved, Senator Bowser seconded, to approve the remainder of the amendment. Motion carried.
Discussion ensued. Senator Titus offered and explained a conceptual amendment.
Senator Titus moved, Senator Blew seconded, to adopt a conceptual balloon amendment adding "regarding information that may be shared with a legislator that is covered by this act, nothing in this act shall create liability against the legislator or create a requirement for a legislator to take affirmative action based on such information" giving staff leeway for the wording on the bill. After some discussion, the motion carried.
Senator Blew moved, Senator Faust-Goudeau seconded, to recommend HB2160 as amended, favorably for passage. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:09 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2025.
