After a spirited floor debate, the Kansas House today took action to send a bill to Governor Kelly’s desk broadening accountability for the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission.
Today’s 78-45 House vote on the Conference Committee Report on House Bill 2530 came after a 21-18 vote by the Senate earlier in the day. You can read the Conference Committee Report Brief for yourself here.
The bill changes the appointment process for members of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission. Currently, the Governor chooses all members of the commission, and none of the appointees are accountable to anyone else. This bill changes that. Under the new system, the Governor would have four appointments to the commission, and the House Speaker, Senate President, and Attorney General would each have one appointment.
Specifically, the Governor under this bill would make one at-large appointment, as well as appointments in regions 1, 2, and 5. The Attorney General’s appointment would be at-large. The Speaker of the House would make an appointment in region 4, and the Senate President’s appointment would come from region 3.
In addition to appointment authority, the bill allows for removal of a commissioner by the official making the appointment should such action be necessary.
The bill also contains language ensuring that the commission, “shall preserve the rights guaranteed by section 21 of the bill of rights of the constitution of the state of Kansas.” In order to ensure that commissioners represent all Kansans, not just those employed in outfitting or hunting guide industries, the bill prevents the appointment to the commission of anyone who owns or works for a controlled shooting area, or provides hunting outfitting services or hunting guide services. Finally, the commission would not be permitted to have more than a majority of its members from the same political party, and the commissioners would elect their own chairperson rather than the chair being selected by the Governor.
Your Kansas State Rifle Association testified in favor of related legislation early this year that was one of the precursors to the language eventually sent to the Governor’s desk today. Our testimony on that bill is included below for your convenience.
With passage of this bill and the Sine Die adjournment of the Legislature imminent, the final decision over the measure’s future lies with Governor Laura Kelly. If you support broadening the accountability of the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Commission, please consider contacting her office and urging a signature.
