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Committee hears sharply divided testimony on bill to bar public advocacy of ballot measures
Summary
At a Committee on Elections hearing on House Bill 24-51, proponents described local examples they said show school districts using taxpayer resources to influence ballot measures; city and county groups and education officials opposed the bill as drafted, arguing it is vague, could chill neutral information and criminalize routine communications.
The Committee on Elections heard proponent and opponent testimony on House Bill 24-51, legislation that would prohibit state and municipal officers and employees from using public funds, materials or direct mass communications to advocate for or against constitutional amendments or ballot questions.
Revisor Mike Hine told the panel the measure would expand current law (cited in testimony as K.S.A. 25-41-69(a)) to bar explicit advocacy by public officers and employees while still allowing neutral responses and neutral informational publications; direct mass communications such as mailers, flyers, signage and social-media statements would be prohibited under the…
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