Senators’ map plan before entire body

Two northwest Kansas senators presented a plan Thursday for redrawing the state’s 40 Senate districts.

Sens. Stan Clark, R-Oakley, and Janis Lee, D-Kensington, outlined their proposal before the entire Senate in a committee room after the day’s regular session.

The Senate Reapportionment Committee is scheduled to meet Monday with the goal to endorse maps of state Senate and U.S. House districts.

Senate President David Kerr, R-Hutchinson, said he would like to have the plans voted on no later than Feb. 15.

Lawmakers are redrawing congressional, legislative and State Board of Education districts to reflect shifts in population according to the 2000 census.

House gives its OK to anti-terror plan

House members approved a bill Thursday giving state officials greater authority to protect against terrorism.

The bill, approved 89-31, authorizes the secretary of administration to fingerprint all workers who have unescorted access to the state data center, telecommunications facilities and other security sensitive areas.

Fingerprints would be submitted to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the FBI for criminal background checks and verification of identity.

The bill went to the Senate and is the first legislation from the Special Committee on Kansas Security to make its way through the House. The panel was formed after Sept. 11 to identify and mitigate potential threats to Kansas’ economy, governments and civilian population.