Legislative Coordinating Council 06/30/2026

Approval of Minutes and Interim Committee Topics

Approval Process

• The meeting begins with a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by the Majority Leader Blasey.

• A voice vote is conducted; the motion passes with no opposition.

Interim Committee Topics Discussion

• Shirley Morrow presents a list of special committees, clarifying which were included in the previous month's packet and which are new.

• Special committee topics are categorized: those without asterisks were part of last month’s packet, while those with one or two asterisks indicate new or additional items.

Clarification on Special Education Funding Task Force

• Morrow explains that the special education funding task force has met for four days already and requests an additional four days for further meetings.

Discussion on Fire Code Update

New Task Force Established

• Brandon raises concerns about the Special Committee on State Fire Code due to a newly established governor's task force focused on updating fire codes.

• He suggests possibly passing over this committee since it overlaps with existing efforts from the governor's task force.

Importance of Coordination

• Despite overlapping interests, there is acknowledgment that both bodies could provide valuable insights; thus, keeping the interim committee active for one day is proposed.

Questions Regarding Government Oversight Committee

Lack of Clear Agenda

• Minority Leader Sykes questions why no days were reduced for the House Select Committee on Government Oversight, noting unclear objectives for their scheduled days.

Functionality Explained

• The chair explains that oversight committees operate similarly to confirmation committees; they have flexibility based on needs arising during sessions.

Rental Housing Concerns

Need for Property Tax Solutions

• A discussion arises regarding property tax bills affecting renters. There’s emphasis on ensuring solutions address renters' needs as well as property taxes.

Historical Context Provided

• Majority Leader Blasey notes that numerous discussions have occurred regarding rental properties and tenant rights in past legislative sessions but emphasizes cost-effectiveness in current proposals.

Motion to Approve Meeting Days

Finalization of Committees

• Majority Leader Blasey motions to approve recommended meeting days for all listed committees, specifically limiting discussions within certain scopes like emergency nuclear technologies.

Legislative Action Taken

• The motion passes after another voice vote confirming approval.

Notice of Intention to Dispose School Buildings

Legislative Requirement Explained

• Gordon Self discusses KSA 721439, detailing requirements when school districts intend to dispose of property and notifying legislature accordingly.

Specific Properties Mentioned

• Two school districts (USD 365 and USD 475), including Greeley Elementary School and HD Karn School Building, have submitted notices regarding property disposal.

Discussion on Property Disposal by School District

Legislative Context and Local Taxpayer Concerns

• The school district can only dispose of the property if the LCC takes action; otherwise, it will go to the legislature for a decision on potential purchase.

• A question was raised regarding any local taxpayer objections to the buildings in question, referencing past concerns from taxpayers.

• It was noted that there is no current awareness of local taxpayer objections related to these properties.

Decision-Making Process and Information Gaps

• A member expressed their lack of information about the properties, indicating they would likely vote against proceeding without further details.

• The Senate President suggested inaction from the body until more information could be gathered, proposing to defer discussions for a future meeting.

RFP for Bill Tracking Services Update

Introduction of RFP Process

• Althoff provided an update on the Request for Proposal (RFP) for bill tracking services, highlighting vendor interviews and legislative staff engagement to assess needs.

• The RFP document is ready pending approval from LCC, aiming to improve existing systems based on feedback received during consultations.

Approval and Timeline

• The committee voted unanimously to release the RFP with responses due by July 31; results will be discussed in August's meeting.

Kalis Project Update

Progress Report

• An addendum with delivery timelines has been signed, initiating work this month with daily stand-ups between technology teams from both Propolon and legislative staff.

• Weekly progress reports are now being provided by Propolon leadership to keep stakeholders informed about developments in the project.

Legislative Efficiency Concerns

• Majority Leader Blasey highlighted inefficiencies compared to other states' legislative processes regarding bill drafting, emphasizing Kansas's reliance on third-party vendors which leads to delays.

• There is a call for accountability from Propolon while considering adopting more efficient practices similar to those used by other states.

Employment of Contract Attorney Discussion

Legal Representation Needs

• Discussion centered around employing private counsel under KSA 46-1204 for representing either the legislature or individual legislators in official capacities concerning public documents requests.

• Senator Erickson faced a CORA complaint following her committee's handling of public suggestions submitted through an online portal, raising questions about transparency and compliance with public records laws.

Legislative Representation and CORA Complaint Discussion

Overview of the Complaint Against Senator Erickson

• The Attorney General's office has removed the legislature from the complaint, but it remains active against Senator Erickson in her capacity as chair.

• Senator Erickson requested representation from the Attorney General's office, which was denied. Attorney Eddie Grime has agreed to represent her regarding the CORA complaint.

Details of the CORA Complaint

• Minority Leader Witter inquires about what records are being sought that have not been turned over, questioning if they pertain to emails exempt from CORA.

• It is confirmed that all records were submitted; however, concerns arise regarding whether they were provided within a reasonable timeframe.

• The issue does not involve seeking exempt emails but relates to 3,000 submissions made to a portal.

Concerns About Legal Representation

• All committee records were turned over with some redactions for personal identifiable information. The discussion continues on whether legal counsel is typically required for legislators facing complaints.

• Acknowledgment that this is an unprecedented case involving a CORA complaint requiring representation; past instances of denial by the AG are noted as concerning.

Implications of AG Denial

• There is concern among legislators about the chilling effect of not having support from the Attorney General when fulfilling their duties.

• Legislators express frustration at needing to pay for defense due to AG denial and emphasize their duty to defend each other under law and rules.

Moving Forward with Legal Counsel

• A call for action suggests that it is essential for legislators to defend their chairpersons when attacked legally.

• Senate President expresses disappointment over AG's refusal but acknowledges necessity in hiring an attorney for defense. A motion is made and seconded to approve hiring legal counsel.

Future Considerations for Legislative Support

• Majority Leader Blasey echoes frustrations regarding repeated denials by the AG and suggests considering hiring dedicated legal staff similar to practices in other states.

• Emphasis on modernization within legislative operations, advocating for professional legal support akin to what other state legislatures employ.

This structured summary captures key discussions surrounding Senator Erickson’s situation while providing timestamps for easy reference back to specific moments in the transcript.