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Minutes for HB2650 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Designating the state rock as limestone, the state mineral as galena, and the state gemstone as jelinite amber.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 6, 2018
Chairperson Barker opened the hearing on HB2650. Jason Long, Revisor, provided an overview of the bill (Attachment 1). In response to a question by Chairperson Barker, the Revisor stated that Kansas currently has a state tree, amphibian, reptile, flying fossil, marine fossil, bird, flower, song, and a state march.
Chairperson Barker recognized Casey Friend as a proponent of HB2650 (Attachment 2). He stated he is ten years old and in fourth grade at Trailwood Elementary School in Overland Park, Kansas. He chose limestone as the state rock because it's common in the state and used in construction of buildings. Galena was discovered in Kansas and mined in the 1800's. Jellinite amber originated in Kansas. It cannot be made into jewelry because it is only found at the bottom of Kanopolis Lake.
Chairperson Barker recognized Jackson Svaty as a proponent of HB2650 (Attachment 3). He is nine years old, in the third grade and attends Topeka Collegiate School. Jelinite amber is principally found in Ellsworth County, and it's hard to find because it's at the bottom of Kanopolis Lake. It is named after George Jelinek who was from Ellsworth County and who discovered the amber.
Chris Tymeson testified as a proponent of HB2650, but requested that the bill be amended to add the channel catfish as the state fish since it is found in every river and reservoir in Kansas (Attachment 4). Chairperson Barker asked if the channel catfish would become a protected species if it were made the state fish. He stated that it would not be protected.
Chairperson Barker asked if there were any further proponents, opponents or neutrals on this bill. Seeing none, he closed the hearing on HB2650.
Representative Rooker moved to suspend the rule and work HB2650, seconded by Representative Clayton. There was no objection so the motion was approved.
Representative Rooker moved to recommend HB2650 favorably for passage, seconded by Representative Smith.
Chairperson Barker moved to amend HB2650 by designating the channel catfish as the official state fish, seconded by Representative Ruiz. The amendment carried.
Representative Miller moved to recommend HB2650, as amended, favorably for passage, seconded by Representative Humphries. HB2650, as amended, was passed out favorably.
