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Senate committee hears bill to bar use of taxpayer time or funds to advocate on ballot questions
Summary
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs heard testimony on Senate Bill 314, which would extend a prohibition on using public funds and compensated time from candidate campaigning to promotion or opposition of constitutional amendments and ballot questions; proponents cited alleged abuses in USD 308 Hutchinson, while school boards and county officials warned the bill is vague and could chill routine informational activity.
The Senate Committee on Federal and State Affairs considered Senate Bill 314 in a long hearing that drew proponent testimony documenting alleged use of district resources in Hutchinson and vocal opposition from school‑board and county officials who said the proposal is too vague and risks criminalizing routine informational activity.
Senator Doug Shane, a sponsor, told the committee that "Senate bill 314 codifies in law what most people believe to be true, that public employees and public servants cannot use taxpayer resources to advocate for or against anything that shows up on our citizens' ballots." He said the measure was prompted by incidents in the 2025 election cycle and noted a House companion, HB 2451.
Representative Paul Wagner described the Hutchinson USD 308 bond campaign and said his concerns included district‑purchased yard signs, widely distributed…
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