State Finance Council approves Rayburn tort claim settlement after executive session; vote unanimous

The State Finance Council met in executive session on Webex to consider a proposed tort claim settlement in Rayburn v. State of Kansas and later approved the settlement by unanimous roll-call vote.

Before the closed session, Dusty Ralston of Legislative Administrative Services explained that the council would move into a Webex breakout room that would not be recorded or broadcast and that participants would be able to speak and share screens while in the breakout. The motion to recess to a closed executive meeting was read into the record by Representative Waymaster and cited KSA 75-4319(a) and KSA 75-6106 as the legal bases for closing the meeting for attorney–client matters related to a proposed tort claim settlement.

Robert Hutchinson of the attorney general’s office presented the settlement recommendations during the executive session, according to the public record. After returning to the public meeting, Speaker Dan Hawkins moved to approve the resolution authorizing the settlement; President Masterson seconded the motion. The council took a roll-call vote and recorded ayes from the members present. The meeting record shows the motion passed unanimously; the clerk announced a final tally of 9–0.

The council did not disclose the settlement amount or other settlement terms during the public portion of the meeting. The public record states only that the council moved into executive session under attorney–client privilege and then approved the proposed settlement upon returning to open session.