Brief (1)
SB 62 creates the Constitutional Awareness Act.
The bill requires the Secretary of State's Office to make available to each candidate for state office and to each person appointed to a state office the following documents: the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Kansas, and the current examination and answer sheet to apply for United States citizenship.
The bill defines state office as the Office of the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, State Treasurer, Commissioner of Insurance, state legislative offices, members of the State Board of Education, and any appointive offices which are subject to confirmation by the Senate.
Background
SB 62, as introduced, was requested by Senator O'Connor. She testified that this legislation would improve the foundational knowledge necessary for making good laws.
The fiscal note from the Division of the Budget estimated the cost for printing to be $3,100 and postage for handbooks, tests, and results from the tests to be $2,100 for a two-year period.
The Senate Committee of the Whole amended the bill to require the Secretary of State to make available the relevant documents.
1. *Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext.cgi