Topeka ? Gov. Kathleen Sebelius today said Republican leaders in the Kansas House were trying to kill a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to pay cheaper, in-state tuition at Kansas public universities.

Under the bill, students who are in the country illegally but have lived in Kansas at least three years would be charged the lower, resident tuition rate at public universities, community colleges and vocational colleges.

The measure was adopted last year in the House, and then approved this session by the Senate, which added a provision that the students would have to prove they are seeking citizenship or legal resident status.

House Speaker Doug Mays, R-Topeka, said the Senate changes were significant enough to warrant putting the bill back into a committee for more work.

Sebelius said Mays’ move was an attempt to “derail” the bill. “I’d like the bill to be sent to my desk,” said Sebelius.

Her comments to reporters followed her remarks during Hispanic legislative day.

She told a crowd of more than 100 people to contact legislative leaders in the House to get that bill moving again.