Kansas Senate Plans Big Rule Changes

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – Republicans in the Kansas Senate are proposing major changes in the chamber’s rules, and one measure would give the Senate’s top leader more influence over shaping legislation.

Senate Vice President Jeff King outlined the measures drafted by a GOP leadership panel during an interview Wednesday with The Associated Press. They’ll be presented to the Senate when lawmakers open their annual session Monday.

One change would transfer the leadership panel’s power to make committee assignments to the Senate president. Committees do much of the drafting of legislation.

Some Republicans argue the current system is unwieldy.

Another proposal would establish a panel to settle disputes over the rules during debates. Currently, the person presiding over a debate settles disagreements.

Republicans outnumber Democrats in the chamber 32 to 8.