Tuesday, Sept. 3, we returned to the state house to clean up the “Hard 50” murder-sentencing bill that had been scrutinized by the U.S. Supreme Court decision in
Alleyne v. U.S. (June, 2013).
I arrived at my office in the capitol around 6:30, as I had done all last session, set up my computer, checked the office and prepared for the day. I walked across the 3rd floor and into the Speaker’s office and visited with a group of state senators and representatives who had gathered there.
At 8:00 a.m. our session began. Following the opening prayer, I was given the honor of leading the chamber in the flag salute. The business of the special session and the day were read by the clerk. After a brief meeting we recessed while the judicial committee reviewed the proposed bill and some changes that had been suggested. During recess, a number of groups were holding meetings. I attended an informational orientation presented by the Kansas Department of Commerce concerning their activities throughout the state and in our communities, and an overview of the department and its budget.
Following the meeting, we went to lunch and another meeting held to discuss education policy and the 2014 legislative session. We returned to the floor of the House chamber at 2:00 to review the progress of the judiciary committee and to recess to caucus in our respective partisan groups. We were informed of the suggested changes to the bill, questions were raised, suggestions were made, and we were dismissed to return to the chamber at 3:30.
Upon our return to the chamber, a hard copy of the new bill was on our desks. The new bill meets the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that juries, not only judges, must approve a hard-50 sentence – that a convicted murderer can’t be up for parole for at least 50 years. There were two attempts to amend the bill. One amendment would have included “Jessica’s law” convictions in the Hard 50 sentencing and the other concerned voting restrictions. The first amendment was certainly reasonable, but the body felt that it should be considered in the regular session through the committee process and finally to both houses for a vote. The second suggested amendment was not found to be germane to the original bill and was withdrawn.
The new bill passed the House by a vote of 122 – 0 (3 members were absent), and we adjourned for the day a little after 5:00 p.m.
The Senate was busy with an appellate judge confirmation on Tuesday. Wednesday, they will take up the business of the Hard 50 bill. We were all invited to a barbecue at Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion, after adjournment where Governor Brownback congratulated the House on getting their part of the job completed in a day and challenged the Senate to do the same.
On Wednesday, we will again gavel in at 8:00 a.m. Our job will be, primarily, to wait for the Senate to get its work done, so that both houses can agree on the bill. If the Senate makes any changes to the bill that we passed, then we will have to iron out the differences in order to pass the same bill in both chambers.
All in all, it was a great day to represent the people of the 111th district and the people of Kansas. Thank you for the opportunity.