Gov. Sam Brownback has signed his first batch of bills that repeals a number of Kansas laws identified by his administration as outdated.

The four bills signed Thursday were the first group to make it to the Republican governor’s desk out of 51 individual statutes recommended for removal. He was joined by Secretary of Administration Dennis Taylor, who has been assigned to identify specific items for repeal.

Brownback created the repeal office within Taylor’s agency in 2011, saying there was a need for the state to identify and remove statutes and regulation that were unnecessary and viewed as an impediment to government efficiency.

The governor said Thursday the changes would streamline licensing and application processes so the state can focus on growing business and families.

The Repealer bills signed into law are:

·HB 2669 repeals statutes concerning the matron of a county jail. The statutes, which were enacted in 1913, are outdated and no longer reflect contemporary jail operations, civil service ordinances, state and federal employment law, or the role of female law enforcement officers.

·HB 2675 revises a statute concerning the duties of county clerks and county appraisers with regard to the listing and valuation of real estate. The Secretary of Administration indicated the statute is out-of-date, as most of the processes associated with completing the real estate assessment rolls is done electronically.

·HB 2677 eliminates the distinction that counties with a population greater than 25,000 must appoint a full-time county appraiser, while counties with a population of 25,000 or less may appoint either a full-time or part-time appraiser.

·HB 2683 amends one statute and repeals several other statutes concerning the Director of Penal Institutions which are outmoded.