Committee on Legislative Modernization announces bill to rename portion of Kansas State Highway 5 by Quindaro ruins

The Committee on Legislative Modernization opened with member and staff introductions and an announcement that the chair will introduce a bill to rename a portion of Kansas State Highway 5 that runs in front of the Quindaro ruins to honor the late Representative Marvin S. Robinson II.

“I have a bill to rename a portion of Kansas State Highway 5 in running in front of Quindaro ruins,” the Committee chair said, and invited members to visit the chair’s desk to sign co-sponsorship should they choose.

The announcement came during the committee’s first organizational meeting, held to introduce staff and members and to set the committee’s early schedule. The committee heard brief staffing introductions from Diane Bernheimer of the committee staff and from revisor and research staff including Gordon Self and Natalie Scott from the Office of Revisor of Statutes and James Fisher and Nathan Gray from the Legislative Research Department. AV technician Chloe Pavlik was also introduced.

Members present introduced themselves by name and district. Jesse Borjon introduced himself as vice chair and representative of the 52nd House District. Ford Carr introduced himself as the committee’s ranking member. Other members who spoke or were introduced included Representatives Carl Turner, Sherry Brantley, Charlotte Esau, Suzanne Weichel, Valdinia Winn (subbing for Lehi Simmons), Nikki McDonald (subbing for Melissa Oropesa), Brad Barrett, Cindy Howerton, Adam Smith and Bill Riley.

The chair said the bill would be taken to the House floor and that a floor announcement would be made. No formal motion or committee vote on the proposed renaming occurred during the meeting; the chair’s remarks were an invitation to circulate a committee bill and to gather co-sponsors.

Members also noted scheduling conflicts affecting committee meeting dates during the legislative calendar: the chair said the calendar already misses three scheduled committee days because of session timing and holidays and thanked leadership for arranging swaps that would allow additional meetings. The committee opened the floor for bill requests and committee bill introductions; none were offered at that time.

In tribute to Representative Marvin S. Robinson II, who the chair said was a member of the committee and is deceased, the committee observed a moment of silence. The chair adjourned the meeting after inviting members to sign on as co-sponsors of the announced renaming bill and noting that members who were absent because of other committee duties would meet the following week.

No formal votes, amendments, or implementation details for the proposed renaming bill were recorded during the meeting.