Session of 1999
         
HOUSE BILL No. 2358
         
By Representatives Findley and Vickrey
          
2-9
          
  9             AN  ACT concerning elections; establishing a bipartisan commission on
10             campaign finance reform.
11      
12       Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
13             Section  1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the bipartisan
14       campaign commission act.
15             Sec.  2. As used in this act:
16             (a) "Commission" means the bipartisan commission on campaign fi-
17       nance reform.
18             (b) "State office" means a state office as defined by K.S.A. 25-4143,
19       and amendments thereto.
20             (c) "Local office" means a local office as defined by K.S.A. 25-4143,
21       and amendments thereto.
22             Sec.  3. (a) The commission shall be composed of 12 persons to be
23       appointed as follows:
24             (1) Three members shall be appointed by the president of the senate.
25             (2) Three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
26       senate.
27             (3) Three members shall be appointed by the speaker of the house
28       of representatives.
29             (4) Three members shall be appointed by the minority leader of the
30       house of representatives.
31             Such members shall be appointed within 30 days after the effective
32       date of this act. No more than six members of the commission shall be
33       from the same political party. No current member of the Kansas legis-
34       lature shall be appointed to the commission.
35             Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled in the same manner as
36       the original appointment was made.
37             (b) The secretary of state shall serve as the temporary chairperson of
38       the commission until the co-chairpersons are appointed as provided by
39       subsection (c). The temporary chairperson shall call the first meeting of
40       the commission within 30 days following the appointment of all members
41       of the commission.
42             (c) At the first meeting of the commission, the members shall select
43       from the membership of the commission two persons, one from each of

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  1       the two political parties whose nominee for governor in the last preceding
  2       general election received the highest number of votes, to serve as co-
  3       chairpersons of the commission.
  4             (d) The commission shall meet on the call of the co-chairpersons or
  5       upon request of seven members of the commission. Seven members of
  6       the commission shall constitute a quorum. Any decision of the commis-
  7       sion shall require the affirmative vote of eight members.
  8             (e) Members of the commission shall be paid compensation, subsis-
  9       tence allowances, mileage and other expenses as provided by K.S.A. 75-
10       3223, and amendments thereto.
11             (f) The office of the revisor of statutes, the legislative research de-
12       partment and the division of legislative administrative services shall pro-
13       vide such assistance as may be requested by the commission and author-
14       ized by the legislative coordinating council. The legislative division of post
15       audit shall provide such assistance as may be requested by the commission
16       and authorized by the legislative post audit committee. The Kansas gov-
17       ernmental ethics commission and other state agencies shall provide as-
18       sistance to the commission as may be requested by the commission.
19             Sec.  4. The commission shall study the laws and any rules and reg-
20       ulations that affect how campaigns for state and local office are financed
21       and conducted and may make recommendations for legislation. When
22       conducting such study, the commission shall consider:
23             (1) Whether too much or too little money is spent trying to influence
24       campaigns for state and local office and whether the money spent is suf-
25       ficiently disclosed.
26             (2) Whether the current laws and rules and regulations governing
27       campaigns for state and local office encourage or discourage those most
28       qualified to hold office from seeking public office.
29             (3) Whether the existing system of financing campaigns for state and
30       local office promotes trust and confidence in the political process among
31       the electorate.
32             (4) Whether the laws and rules and regulations governing access to
33       media ensure that the electorate has the greatest possible opportunity to
34       be informed of candidates' positions on the issues.
35             (5) Any other matters the commission considers appropriate.
36             Sec.  5. On or before February 1, 2000, the commission shall submit
37       a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor and the
38       legislature. Such report may include any recommendation for changes in
39       the laws and any rules and regulations governing the conduct of cam-
40       paigns for state or local office. Recommendations to the legislature shall
41       be in drafted bill form together with any explanatory information and data
42       the commission deems advisable. Such bills shall not be subject to amend-
43       ment by either the senate or the house of representatives.

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  1             Sec.  6. The commission shall cease to exist on May 15, 2000.
  2        Sec.  7. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
  3       publication in the Kansas register.