Topeka — A state senator wants to broaden the definitions and penalties for terrorist acts because he said it would better protect Kansans from attacks on lives and property.
Sen. David Adkins, R-Leawood, outlined his proposal Thursday for the Kansas Anti-Terrorism Act of 2002, which includes giving law enforcement greater powers to investigate and prosecute terrorists.
"I think we have to recognize that America is a nation at war right now," Adkins said. "It's a new kind of war.
"And a war that requires every level of government to array its resources to effectively address the risk posed by terrorist activity."
He said the state's agriculture industry and Wolf Creek nuclear power plant were two of the more obvious terrorist targets, but that the battleground could be considered anywhere in the state.
Among his proposals are the establishment of Sept. 11 as "Patriot Day" and the creation of the State Domestic Security Council, to include the governor, attorney general, adjutant general and health officials.
Adkins said the changes in the criminal code would give law enforcement the necessary tools to investigate, prevent and prosecute acts of terrorism.
He admitted that the proposal would need refinement.
The proposals are separate from the work of the Legislature's Special Committee on Kansas Security, which has been reviewing security measures since Sept. 11. The committee will meet Monday and Tuesday before making recommendations to the Legislature after it convenes Jan. 14.
Senate President Dave Kerr, R-Hutchinson and co-chairman of the committee, said that he was not aware of Adkins' proposals before Thursday, but that he did not mind other legislators working on security issues.
"One of the things we've discovered is this is a big, big topic and we can't do it all," Kerr said. "We can benefit from the individual legislators' suggestions to us. Apparently, Sen. Adkins has done some research that will be helpful to us."
Kerr said Adkins' suggestion for better coordination among agencies has already been discussed by the committee, including sharing information regarding potential threats and responding to incidents, accidental or otherwise.
House Speaker Kent Glasscock said the timing of Adkins' proposal was appropriate given the proximity to the session. Glasscock, R-Manhattan, had not read Adkins' document, but said that any input was helpful.
Adkins said he began work on the proposals in October and consulted with the Council of State Governments, Midwestern Legislative Conference, Kansas Bureau of Investigation and the National Emergency Management Assn.
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