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Minutes for HB2017 - Committee on Elections
Short Title
Vacancy elections; United States representative to congress.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 10, 2017
Revisor Mike Heim briefed the Committee on HB2017. There were no questions from the Committee.
Secretary of State Kris Kobach testified in support of HB2017 that would amend the current law to allow any recognized political party to conduct a convention to nominate a candidate. (Attachment 1)
The Committee had questions for Secretary of State Kris Kobach.
Kelly Arnold testified in support of the intent of HB2017 on behalf of the Kansas Republican Party. He stated they do not support making unnecessary changes not required to address the perceived upcoming special election. (Attachment 2)
The Committee had questions for Mr. Arnold.
Chairman Rob Hodgkinson testified in support of HB2017 on behalf of the Libertarian Party of Kansas. He stated this positive support is simply fairness and the fact that multiple courts have found that excluding any political party in a special election (no matter their size) is unconstitutional. (Attachment 3)
There were no questions for Mr. Hodgkinson.
Written testimony was provided in support of HB2017 by James M. Howell on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, Sedgwick County, KS, and by Jason P. Watkins on behalf of Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. (Attachment 4) (Attachment 5)
Chairperson Esau closed the hearing on HB2017.
Chairperson Esau asked if there were any objections to taking action on HB2017. There were no objections from the Committee.
Representative Carpenter moved the Committee pass HB2017 favorably, seconded by Representative Good.
Representative Carpenter proposed an amendment, and discussion by the Committee followed.
Representative Carpenter moved to amend HB2017 by changing page 2, line 2, from 1,000 to 3,000, seconded by Representative DeGraaf.
A substitute motion by Representative Alcala to amend HB2017 by changing page 2, line 2, from 1,000 to not less than 5,000, was seconded by Representative Carpenter.
There was discussion by the Committee.
The substitute motion to amend HB2017 by changing page 2, line 2, from 1,000 to not less than 5,000 failed.
The motion to amend HB2017 by changing page 2, line 2, from 1,000 to 3,000 passed.
There was further discussion by the Committee on HB2017.
Representative Miller moved to amend HB2017 with Miller's Amendment, seconded by Representative Curtis (Attachment 6).
Discussion by the Committee followed.
Representative Miller withdrew Miller's amendment.
Representative Carpenter moved HB2017 favorably for passage as amended, seconded by Representative Garber.
HB2017 passed favorably as amended.
Chairperson Esau adjourned the meeting.
