Signed by Governor Laura Kelly

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate amendments and pass a bill that reduces ethics laws for state politicians and allows more nonprofits to reimburse them for travel to events in Kansas.

Highlights:

• Reduces ethics laws for state politicians and allows more nonprofits to reimburse them for travel to events in Kansas (Sec. 1-3).

• Extends and expands reimbursement options to include any nonpartisan nonprofit that doesn't lobby in Kansas, broadening the scope beyond national organizations (Sec. 1-3).

• Amends and expands who can reimburse lawmakers for expenses incurred from participating events to any nonprofit nonpartisan organization that doesn’t engage in lobbying in the state of Kansas (Sec. 1-3).

• Prohibits certain elected officials and state employees from soliciting or accepting free or discounted tickets to entertainment or sporting events if it’s provided due to their role in government (Sec. 1-3).

• Establishes an exemption if it’s “obvious to the person accepting such free or special discount tickets” are not provided due to their position, or if accepting an invitation serves a legitimate state purpose or interest (Sec. 1-3).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon its passage and publication in the state statute book (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that reduces ethics laws for state politicians and allows more nonprofits to reimburse them for travel to events in Kansas.

Highlights:

• Reduces ethics laws for state politicians and allows more nonprofits to reimburse them for travel to events in Kansas (Sec. 1-3).

• Extends and expands reimbursement options to include any nonpartisan nonprofit that doesn't lobby in Kansas, broadening the scope beyond national organizations (Sec. 1-3).

• Amends and expands who can reimburse lawmakers for expenses incurred from participating events to any nonprofit nonpartisan organization that doesn’t engage in lobbying in the state of Kansas (Sec. 1-3).

• Prohibits certain elected officials and state employees from soliciting or accepting free or discounted tickets to entertainment or sporting events if it’s provided due to their role in government (Sec. 1-3).

• Establishes an exemption if it’s “obvious to the person accepting such free or special discount tickets” are not provided due to their position, or if accepting an invitation serves a legitimate state purpose or interest (Sec. 1-3).

• Specifies that the provisions of this bill shall take effect immediately upon its passage and publication in the state statute book (Sec. 4).

Full Bill Text