Select Investigative Committee deadlocks on complaint against Rep. Holheisel

The Select Investigative Committee of the Kansas House of Representatives met March 10, 2025, to consider a complaint from Representative Carr alleging that Representative Holheisel violated Mason’s Manual by “participat[ing] in conduct that disrupts or disturbs the orderly proceeding of the body.” After hearing testimony and deliberating, the committee was evenly split on a motion to dismiss the complaint and impose no sanction; the chair said the motion did not prevail, and the committee adjourned with the complaint unresolved.

The debate centered on whether the facts established in the evidentiary hearing met the rule cited in the complaint, and if so what disciplinary recommendation—reprimand, censure or other—should be made to the full House. The chair read the portion of Mason’s Manual quoted in the complaint: “no person shall indulge in personalities, impugn motives of members, use indecent or profane language, or ... participate in conduct that disrupts or disturbs the orderly proceedings of the body,” and asked members to decide which rule(s) were implicated and what material facts were supported by the record.

Committee members recounted an on-floor exchange that the chair summarized as follows: Representative Carr, while at the well, alleged that members of the Republican caucus were racist. Representative Holheisel later walked across the aisle, spoke briefly with a colleague and then passed Representative Carr’s desk, saying in substance that Carr’s allegation “was neither truthful nor proper” and characterizing the charge as “********” in the manner reported to the committee. Representative Carr then replied, “if you have a problem with it, meet me outside in 10 minutes.” The chair said the exchange lasted less than 15 seconds. Committee members disagreed about how to characterize those events and whether they rose to a breach warranting sanction.

Several members said the incident caused a disruption on the House floor but differed on who bore primary responsibility. Representative Francis moved to dismiss the complaint and impose no sanctions; Representative Humphreys seconded the motion. Other members argued for a reprimand or censure, saying dismissal would be tantamount to saying the incident did not matter. The committee voted by raised hands; the chair reported a 3–3 split and stated the motion did not prevail. The committee took no further motions and adjourned.

Reviser staff explained the committee’s options under the rules: after completing its hearing and deliberations, a select committee may dismiss a complaint or make recommendations to the full House for reprimand, censure or expulsion; the revisor noted that the constitution specifically references censure and expulsion while the rules also refer to reprimand and that the committee and House have discretion about how publicly to handle a reprimand.

Committee members also reviewed historical investigatory actions drawn from a Kansas Legislative Research Department report shared with the panel, noting prior committees in which complaints were dismissed or resulted in letters rather than formal sanctions. Several members said Representative Holheisel has no prior complaints on his record and has apologized to the House; some members cited that apology as mitigating, while others said a formal admonition would be appropriate to send a message about conduct on the floor.

The committee did not adopt a recommendation to the full House. The chair concluded the meeting by noting that, because the motion to dismiss did not prevail, the complaint remained before the committee or the House and that no further motions were offered; the committee then adjourned.