Drone regulation bill advances in Kansas Senate
Senate committee approves Senate Bill 409 to regulate unmanned drones with cameras citing privacy and safety concerns. Some senators warn the measure overreaches by restricting law enforcement and military drone use. bill moves to the full Senate on a voice vote.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Topera
Caryn Tyson
R-Parker
House backs damages rise in personal injury suits
Kansas House approved a bill increasing noneconomic damages from $250,000 to $300,000 by July and $350,000 by July 2022. The measure also would broaden trial judge discretion on expert testimony while a separate Senate version would lift a ban on jury consideration of insurance or other source losses. Critics warn the change could shield wrongdoers from full accountability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Pera
Kansas House
House
Senate
Kansas Senate mulls open records bill changes on search affidavits
Kansas Senate Judiciary Committee rewrote a measure to keep arrest warrant affidavits sealed while allowing search warrant information to be released to those searched. The change would require a court clerk petition 14 days after a search, with prosecutors given seven days to object. Debate continues as sponsor Rubin seeks conference committee to argue for broader access.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Senate
Topera
Kansas
Neigh
Missouri
House
Senate Judiciary Committee
Greg Smith
Overland Park
Topeka
Capital Journal
John Rubin
Shawnee
Rubin
KU student victim aided by sentencing in May 2013 robbery case
Omigie Edwards and Jeremiah Edwards faced probation in the May 2013 robbery of KU student Marcus Folks. Omigie received one year probation and plans to attend graduate school in Texas after pleading guilty to amended felony theft with testimony against Martin part of the deal. Martin pleaded guilty to felony robbery and avoided trial.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Omigie
Texas
Jeremiah Edwards
Joshua Edwards
Martin
Marcus Folks
Angelo State University
Paula Martin
Christopher Martin
New Mexico
Douglas County
Bill would cap conservation easement duration at death of grantor
Kansas lawmakers debate SB 323 to end perpetual conservation easements and its impact on land use and state military bases. Supporters say easements protect bases and partnerships. critics warn they limit development and future land use. Senate Natural Resources Committee approved the measure on a voice vote amid party opposition.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dennis Pyle
R-Hiawatha
Tom Hawk
Manhattan
Senate Natural Resources Committee
Hawk
Marci Francisco
Lawrence
Carolyn McGinn
Sedgwick
Dan Kerschen
Golden Plain
Charter school funding dispute sparks last minute add ons
House negotiators and Gov Brownback sign off on funding restore while charter expansion and tax credit provisions draw criticism. Merrick defends deal as not part of negotiations. Rhoades admits responsibility for late addition. Critics warn shifts may affect equity funding and raise questions about impact on transportation and at risk programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
House
Ray Merrick
Stilwell
Senate
Sam Brownback
House Appropriations Committee
Rhoades
Kansas Supreme Court
Reardon
Merrick
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