Highlights of Wednesday’s activities at the Kansas Legislature:

– Senators gave first-round approval to a proposed constitutional amendment that would require Senate confirmation of appointees to the Kansas Supreme Court. Final action was expected Thursday.

– The House Federal and State Affairs Committee endorsed bill that would allow the state to issue permits for some Kansans to carry concealed weapons after rewriting it to make sure that hidden weapons still would be prohibited in churches and libraries.

Also:

– The House Education Committee endorsed a Senate-passed bill to extend a law giving school districts incentives to merge.

– Legislators reviewed an audit that questioned a contract with a New Hampshire company that charges a fee to cities and counties purchasing equipment through Department of Homeland Security grants.

– Senators tentatively approved a bill that would give security guards at nuclear power plants immunity from liability for shooting terrorists attempting to cause harm to employees or the plant.

Clock is ticking:

Wednesday was the 59th day of the session, out of 90 scheduled.