GOP considers rule changes in state legislature

By Associated Press

CREATED Dec. 24, 2012

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 TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The Kansas Senate's new vice president expects fellow Republicans to decide early next month whether to make major changes in the chamber's rules.

 
Sen. Jeff King of Independence says members of an all-GOP leadership panel haven't yet reviewed any proposals in writing, although several ideas have come up.
 
One proposal under consideration would abolish the leadership panel, which makes committee assignments. The proposal would give that power to the Senate president, who already leads the nine-member group.
 
Another measure would establish a standing, bipartisan rules committee and have its leader settle rules disputes. Currently, the senator presiding over a debate handles the task.
 
King said if there are major changes, the Senate will consider them within days of the Jan. 14 opening of the 2013 legislative session.