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Committee passes bill declaring international organizations have no enforcement power in Kansas
Summary
The committee advanced House Bill 2,204, which declares certain international organizations have no power to enforce policy in Kansas; an amendment to remove the United Nations failed and the bill passed favorably in committee.
The committee passed House Bill 2,204, a measure that declares certain international organizations have no power to enforce any policy or regulation within the state of Kansas. The bill names the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN) and the World Economic Forum (WEF) in its text.
Mike Heim of the Revised Statutes Office summarized the bill and the committee’s questions focused on state sovereignty and whether the bill would prevent the state from voluntarily adopting recommendations by international bodies. Representative Clayton offered an amendment to strike the United Nations from the bill; she said she could not support singling out the UN because it was formed after World War II to promote international peace. "There is nothing in the UN charter that puts any sort of authority on Kansas," Clayton said; she urged colleagues to vote to remove the UN from the bill.
Other members opposed Clayton’s amendment. Representative Smoyer argued the bill is about sovereignty and that removing the UN was unnecessary, adding that the UN Human Rights Council has been chaired by countries he would not want deciding U.S. human-rights policy. The amendment was put to a vote and failed on the committee voice vote.
Representative Smoyer later moved that HB 2204 be passed favorably; Representative Hubert seconded. The motion to pass the bill carried on a voice vote with the chair announcing that “ayes appear to have it.” The transcript records members requesting individual recorded votes but does not include a roll-call tally for the final passage in committee.
Supporters framed the bill as confirming that recommendations from international bodies are only advisory to the state. Opponents of the amendment contended that removing the UN was unnecessary and that the bill simply preserves Kansas authority. The committee did not adopt further amendments during the recorded proceedings.
Ending: The bill was advanced out of committee as introduced; members said they may seek clarifying language before floor consideration.
