2006 legislature Lawmakers get a jump on new bills

? Prohibiting 15-year-olds from marrying, protecting property from condemnation, and phasing out the franchise tax are among a number of proposals that have been drawn up for the 2006 Legislature.

The bills have been filed in preparation for the session that starts Monday.

Most legislation in Kansas is filed by committee after the session begins, but some lawmakers file individual bills early because they feel strongly about certain issues or as a favor to a constituent.

Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, filed a bill requiring trucks to have mud flaps.

“One of my constituents had a couple of busted windshields,” from flying gravel on the roads, Ward said. “He wanted an opportunity to be heard.”

Rep. Robert Olson, R-Olathe, said he filed his plans for age restrictions on marriage licenses after an incident last year when a Nebraska man brought his 14-year-old pregnant girlfriend to Kansas to get married.

“When I heard about that, I thought that was way too young,” Olson said. “I don’t think in today’s society that is a proper age.”

The proposal has early bipartisan support. Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, a Democrat, also has called for a ban on marriage involving anyone younger than 16. Olson’s bill would allow persons 16 and 17 to get married with parental or judicial consent.

On eminent domain, three Democratic House members have drawn up legislation that would prohibit governments from acquiring private property through condemnation proceedings in order to transfer the property to a nongovernmental developer.

The legislation is in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in a case called Kelo vs. New London, Conn.

“Property rights are one of our most basic and precious constitutional freedoms,” said Rep. Tom Holland, D-Baldwin. “Following the Kelo ruling, it is imperative that Kansas send a loud and clear signal that the rights of private property owners will not be bulldozed by private developers,” he said.

State senators also have talked about drafting similar legislation.

Also among the more than dozen bills that have been filed, 21 Republicans legislators have signed onto a measure that would phase out the state franchise tax over three years.