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Minutes for SB131 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government
Short Title
When township officials take the oath of office and the deadline for filing for municipal office when no primary is held.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 20, 2019
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on SB131. Chuck Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill.
Rick Piepho testified in support of SB131, stating this is a bill that the KCCEOA suggested. Mr. Piepho indicated this bill addresses current statute that Township officers have to take an oath 20 days after the election even though they don't take office until January. Mr. Piepho indicated this bill also deals with filing deadlines for candidates such as extension districts, drainage districts, and municipalities that don't have a primary election. Mr. Piepho suggested changing "primary election" to "primary election date" on Page 1, Line 19; because there is a date scheduled for the primary, but there may not be a primary conducted in the odd-numbered years. (Attachment 1)
Tabitha Lehman testified in support of SB131. Ms. Lehman explained for a larger county with more staff to do the ballot preparation, it's still a pretty significantly fast turnaround for these filing deadlines. Ms. Lehman indicated they would appreciate any extra time to prepare for the election. (Attachment 2)
Sherrie Riebel testified in support of SB131, explaining a small county has the same problems. Ms. Riebel indicated she does her own programming, and would appreciate more time to get it double-checked to make sure the ballot is going through right. (Attachment 3)
Written testimony in support of SB131 was submitted by:
Debbie Cox, Ford County Clerk/Election Officer (Attachment 4)
Vienna Janis, Osborne County Clerk/Election Officer (Attachment 5)
Karen Madison, Cowley County Clerk/Election Officer (Attachment 6)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on SB131.
