J o u r n a l o f t h e H o u s e FIFTH DAY -------- HALL OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TOPEKA, KAN., Friday, January 17, 1997, 10:00 a.m. The House met pursuant to adjournment with Speaker pro tem Wagle in the Chair. The roll was called with 117 members present. Reps. Allen, Dillon, McKechnie, Minor, Morrison, Ray, Sloan, and Spangler were excused on excused absence by the Speaker. Prayer by Chaplain Washington: Gracious Father, As the weekend arrives, our thoughts turn homeward. The first week of the session is almost behind us, and already we have seen assurances of Your abiding presence. It was You who called us and empowered us for the chores of this House. It was You who awakened us each morning. It was You who strengthened our bodies and quickened our minds. Each day of this week, You have given us Your encouragements. Now Father, please guide us throughout the activities of this day . . . and those of the weekend. Would You grant traveling grace for the treacherous roadways? When we arrive at out destinations, would You warm our hearts with thankfulness, as we behold amidst our loved ones more assurances of Your abiding love. And then, next week, upon our return, we will acknowledge that it was You who brought us. For Your Word says in James 1:17 that every good and perfect gift comes from above. Thank You Father, for Your amazing grace. In the Name of Your Christ, I come. Amen. PERSONAL PRIVILEGE There being no objection, Speaker pro tem Wagle ordered the following remarks by Reps. Farmer and Haley spread upon the Journal. Remarks by Rep. Farmer: Thank you Madam Speaker. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was born on January 15, 1929. In September, 1935, he began school at all-black Yonge Street Elementary School in Atlanta. He entered Morehouse College in Atlanta in June of 1944. In February, 1948, Martin was ordained a Baptist minister and entered Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. It was June 18, 1953 when Corretta Scott became Mrs. Corretta Scott King. In October of the following year, Martin Luther King became pastor of Dexter Avenue Church in Montgomery, Alabama. Martin Luther King became Dr. Martin Luther King in June of 1955, receiving his Ph.D.in Theology from Boston University. On November 17, 1955 the Kings were blessed with the first of their 4 children, Yolanda Denise King. On December 1, 1955, Mrs. Rosa Parks refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama. Four days later Dr. King was elected president of the Montgomery Improvement Association and led a year long boycott of the Montgomery busses. This was one of many events that led Dr. King to a life of pro-active, non-violent direct action; so much so that in December, 1964, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 4, 1968, an assassin's bullet took the young life of this heroic man. Dr. King is, and should be, an inspiration to all of us who are actively involved in seeking the common good for our fellow man. In April of 1963, Dr. King wrote the following from the Birmingham Jail: ``I cannot sit idly by in Atlanta and not be concerned about what happens in Birmingham. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly.'' In August of the same year, Dr. King said at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.: ``When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.'' A message that I believe we all hold dear. I now yield to Representative David Haley. Remarks by Rep. Haley: Madam Speaker, gentle colleagues-- I rise to ask your support today in furthering the philosophy of this accomplished American. The legacy of Dr. King is a part of that rich interwoven tapestry that does not belong to my race or to your race; to my political party or to your political party . . . but to the entire culture that is uniquely American. Dr. King's timeless message of non-violence, dignity and harmony for all people is an American treasure . . . it is our heritage. His dream . . . belongs to us all. My father , former Kansas State Senator George Haley, was a classmate of Dr. King's at Morehouse College (which is my alma mater as well). Dad raised my sister Anne and I to believe that the brotherhood of God presupposes that we are all brothers and sisters and therein equal in God's sight. For how can you say that you love God whom you have not seen . . . and hate your fellow man whom you have seen . . . Hate is still too popular a concept. And hate begats rage and senseless violence. A double bombing of a building, a highway robbery and murder of a famous entertainer's son, an athlete kicks a news cameraman . . . the headlines of today in America. Senseless violence. Each incident resolvable by a more practical resolution. Small ``hate groups'' gather to preach divisiveness, isolationism, separatism, war. And though this is their constitutional right, my heart grows heavy and apprehensive as I watch my infant children, Mariah and Daniel, grow up in this world which will show them the ugliness of divisiveness too often instead of the beauty of diversity. Dr. King asked that we be drum majors for justice, instruments of peace, . . . that we study war no more. As a leader of the future, I know in my heart, his theory will long outlive theirs. But, in closing, it is obvious that we have work to do. Those, then, who cherish peace and non-violence ironically must prepare for war. The message is clear and the challenge, for our children, our communities, our state, our nation, and our world rings timely still. So members of this mighty chamber, I am asking you to go to work with me on this Monday, January 20th. Not here in the statehouse perhaps, but in your districts or wherever your plans may find you. Tell someone that day that violence is not the best answer to a lasting dispute. Teach the message to one, or to many, that we must learn to live together as brothers and sisters or we will perish together as a leader in this great state of Kansas; added to the union as a compromise for freedom to all . . . whose constitution just this week have we all sworn or affirmed to protect . . . it is incumbent on you and I to underscore this message to our people on Monday . . . and indeed, throughout the year. Dignity, respect, there is much to do. Join with me, honorable colleagues be ``King'' for a day. Have a safe and reverent holiday. INTRODUCTION OF BILLS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS The following bills were introduced and read by title: HB 2021, An act concerning the Kansas commission on veterans affairs; relating to certain employees; amending K.S.A. 73-1210a and repealing the existing section, by Committee on Governmental Organization and Elections. HB 2022, An act concerning the employment security law; relating to direct sellers; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 44-703 and repealing the existing section, by Representative Lane. HB 2023, An act repealing K.S.A. 80-504; concerning townships; relating to township clerks, by Representative Wempe. HB 2024, An act concerning amusement rides; relating to inspection and permitting thereof; relating to licensed inspectors, by Representative Sloan. HB 2025, An act concerning crimes and punishments; relating to the crime of inflicting harm, disability or death to certain dogs; amending K.S.A. 21-4318 and repealing the existing section, by Committee on Federal and State Affairs. HB 2026, An act concerning the residential landlord and tenant act; relating to security deposits; amending K.S.A. 58-2550 and repealing the existing section, by Representatives Findley, Ballard and Sloan. HB 2027, An act relating to income taxation; allowing the deduction of long-term care insurance premium costs; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 79-32,117 and repealing the existing section, by Representative Powers. HB 2028, An act concerning local governments; relating to health care benefits plan; providing coverage for spouse; amending K.S.A. 12-5040 and repealing the existing section, by Representative Powers. HB 2029, An act relating to sales taxation; concerning utility services furnished by political subdivisions; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 79-3606 and repealing the existing section, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2030, An act enacting the property tax relief act of 1997; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 72-6431 and repealing the existing section; also repealing K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 72-6431a, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2031, An act relating to the financing of unified school districts; concerning the property tax levyrequired therefor; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 72-6431 and 79-5105 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 72-6431a, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2032, An act relating to income taxation; concerning rates of single-individual taxpayers; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 79-32,110 and repealing the existing section, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2033, An act relating to sales taxation; exempting certain labor services associated with the remodeling of buildings and facilities therefrom; amending K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 793603 and repealing the existing section, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2034, An act relating to sales taxation; concerning refunds on certain sales of food; amending K.S.A. 79-3634 and 79-3635 and repealing the existing sections, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2035, An act amending the homestead property tax refund act; amending K.S.A. 794505 and 79-4508 and K.S.A. 1996 Supp. 79-4502 and repealing the existing sections; also repealing K.S.A. 79-4520, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2036, An act relating to income taxation; providing a credit therefrom for certain adoption expenses, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2037, An act relating to income taxation; providing a credit therefrom for a portion of property tax levied against commercial and industrial machinery and equipment, by Committee on Taxation. HB 2038, An act concerning certain claims against the state; making appropriations, authorizing certain transfers, imposing certain restrictions and limitations, and directing or authorizing certain disbursements, procedures and acts incidental to the foregoing, by Joint Committee on Special Claims Against the State. REFERENCE OF BILLS AND CONCURRENT RESOLUTIONS The following bills and resolutions were referred to Committees as indicated: Governmental Organization and Elections: HB 2020. COMMUNICATIONS FROM STATE OFFICERS From Terry D. Bernatis, Health Benefits Administrator, in compliance with K.S.A. 756509, State of Kansas Health Care Benefits Program Annual Report for 1996. From E. Dean Carlson, Secretary of Transportation, in compliance with K.S.A. 68-2315, Kansas Department of Transportation Report to the Governor and the 1997 Legislature. From Ben Barrett, Chairperson, in compliance with K.S.A. 75-37,110, 1996 Report of the Employee Award Board. The complete reports are kept on file and open for inspection in the office of the Chief Clerk. REPORT OF STANDING COMMITTEE Committee on Calendar and Printing recommends on Requests for Resolutions and Certificates that Request No. 1, by Representative Humerickhouse, congratulating Jim and Lorraine Smiley on their 50th Wedding Anniversary ; be approved and the Chief Clerk of the House be directed to order the printing of said certificates and order drafting of said resolutions. On motion of Rep. Jennison, the committee report was adopted. COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENT CHANGES Speaker pro tem Wagle announced Rep. McKechnie would replace Rep. Alldritt on the Committee on Rules and Journal. Rep. Garner will replace Rep. Alldritt as Vice-Chair of the committee. On motion of Rep. Jennison, the House adjourned until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 21, 1997. CHARLENE SWANSON, Journal Clerk. JANET E. JONES, Chief Clerk. +--+ | | +--+