Legislature to act on controversial bills
By MARTHA MANGELSDORF and JUDY JARRELL Kansan Staff Writers
TOPEKA—The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee yesterday killed a controversial measure which called for the "immediate dismissal" of any student or faculty member who "refused the lawful order of any peace officer." Similar bills, covering state employees and students separately, are still before the legislature.
A flood of new measures was introduced in both houses of the legislature as members hurried to meet the deadline for introduction of new bills.
The deadline for bills introduced by individuals had been set for Monday, but was extended to yesterday because of a jam in the bill drafting department.
The status of major bills now before the Kansas Legislature is:
Education
The Senate Federal and State
Affairs Committee is expected to draw up a new bill covering state employees (including university faculty) who participate in unlawful demonstrations to replace one killed yesterday.
The House Federal and State Affairs Committee will act next week on bill 1144 which calls for the dismissal of students who participate in such demonstrations.
Legislators drafting bills
Roy Laird, professor of political science, testified last week in opposition to the bill saying that if carried to the extreme, it could jeopardize the right of lawful assembly and peaceful demonstration.
- A replacement for the School Foundation Finance act was introduced to the Senate yesterday. The proposed school funding program would add about $26 million to total state aid to local schools bringing the percentage of state support for school operations to 40 per cent.
- A bill recommended for passage by the Committee of the Whole would provide private tutors for mentally or physically retarded students.
- Another proposal heard yesterday would provide for instruction in Kansas public schools on the history of ethnic groups.
The Senate Judiciary
Abortion
Committee recommended the revised Kansas Criminal Code for passage. The voice vote, with only two dissenters sent the measure to the Senate floor for debate and a roll call vote.
The abortion clause, a one-paragraph provision incorporated in the 100-page bill, would make abortion a medical rather than a legal matter.
The abortion section will allow abortions to be performed by a licensed physician operating in a licensed and accredited hospital.
Intoxicating liquors
A liquor-by-the-drink referendum came one step closer to reality today when it passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with a recommendation that the Senate pass it.
The resolution still must be passed by a two-thirds vote of the Senate, by a House committee and two-thirds of the House before a constitutional amendment would be submitted in the next election. This is the best showing for a liquor-by-the-drink bill in Kansas' in 108 years.
Hank Parkinson, legislative director of the Kansans for Modern Beverage Control, spoke in favor of the resolution saying that allowing the open saloon would create a more enforceable
situation concerning alcohol in the state.
- Three representatives introduced a bill yesterday which would increase the current $1.50 per gallon tax on alchoholic beverages of 100 proof or above by $1. The measure would also require that 20 per cent of the revenue go the Kansas Division of Institutional Management for treatment of alchoholism.
18 year-old vote
House concurrent resolutions 1002 and 1011, which deal with lowering the state voting age from 21 to 18, will probably not receive action this year. The House Federal and State Affairs Committee chairman said the committee would not hold debate until next session because no action could be taken until next year's state election.
- Two separate bills calling for a June presidential primary are in committees. Action on the proposals is expected in sessions next week.
Civil rights
The Senate yesterday tentatively approved a new open housing bill. The final vote on the measure will be today.
Business students meet; discuss probation policies
By RICK PENDERGRASS
Kansan Staff Writer
School of Business academic probation policy came under fire yesterday in a meeting sponsored by the Business Students' Association (BSA), said Connie Töbin, Kansas City junior and chairman of the meeting.
Miss Tobin said discussion centered around the school requirement that students on academic probation take a schedule of courses prescribed by the school.
"Often, these schedules consist of subjects the student is weakest in, consequently flunking him out of school," Dick Mensch, Kansas City senior and BSA president, said.
Mensch said although grips about this policy and others in the school were aired, no definite proposal resulted.
A BSA steering committee will present the complaints and suggestions discussed to Business School Dean Clifford Clark.
Mensch said some action has been taken on almost every proposal presented to the Business School administration this fall.
Commenting on the meeting, Clark said: "I don't know the specifics about the proposals; the faculty has been kept in the dark. However, I do know there have been questions about the probation policy."
Clark said he agrees required courses for students on probation sometimes overload them in the subject in which they are weakest. The dean added he thinks education should capitalize on the student's strengths.
"There will definitely be a change in the policy by next fall," Clark said.
The bill would make it unlawful for a realtor to withhold the sale, rental or lease of any dwelling on the grounds of a person's race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin.
Signs in Summerfield
Open meetings
Topeka's city clerk testified Tuesday before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee in opposition to a proposed open meetings bill.
The bill, introduced Feb. 11, would require meetings of the legislature and local governmental subdivisions to be open to the public. It would apply to all bodies receiving or spending public funds and require all final, binding decisions by them be reached at open meetings. This would also include all school board and Board of Regents meetings.
Feb. 20 1969 KANSAN 13
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