Topeka ? Those wanting to picket funerals couldn’t get closer than 150 feet under a bill receiving first-round approval Monday in the House.

The legislation was prompted by the Rev. Fred Phelps and his followers protesting throughout the nation at services of U.S. troops killed in combat.

A final vote of approval is expected today. If passed, the reworked Senate bill will be returned to that chamber, where passage is expected.

“I think there’s a very good chance that the Senate will concur and send the bill to the governor,” said Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence. “I expect we’ll have the bill to the governor in short order.”

The bill says protesters can’t be within 150 feet of a funeral one hour before, during or two hours after the end of the service. It also makes it unlawful to obstruct any public street or sidewalk and allows family members to sue if they feel the protesters defamed the deceased.

“We wish it could be five miles,” said Rep. Raj Goyle, D-Wichita.

It wouldn’t take effect until the Kansas Supreme Court or a federal court ruled it constitutional, a move to avoid litigation with Phelps and his followers. Spokeswoman Shirley Phelps-Roper has predicted the court will strike down the legislation as unconstitutional.

Last year, the House and Senate deadlocked over a final version and nothing passed.

“It’s important we get something done for these military families and not let these people continue their harassment,” said Rep. Arlen Siegfreid, R-Olathe.

Phelps, of Topeka, and his followers have conducted anti-homosexual protests since 1991 but gained national attention for showing up at military funerals. They contend the soldiers’ deaths are God’s vengeance for the U.S. harboring homosexuals and that the protests are a form of religious expression.

Official English

The House made it clear it wasn’t ready to give up on restoring $500,000 it included in its version of a bill making English the state’s official language.

The chamber voted 66-54 against agreeing with the Senate version, and sponsor Rep. Don Meyers, R-Derby, said negotiators from the two chambers will resume talks later this week. He told the committee there’s “no chance we’ll get the $500,000.”

The money was to be used for adult English classes.

Under the bill, no state or local government agency has to provide documents or hold meetings in any language except English, but nothing prevents them offering documents in another language or using interpreters at meetings.

While some criticize such legislation as anti-immigrant, backers say they’re responding to constituent demands to do something about illegal immigration. There are an estimated 70,000 illegal immigrants in Kansas.

At least 29 states have made English the official or common language.

Concealed carry

Supporters of making sure that cities and counties don’t impose their own restrictions on the ability of qualified Kansans to carry concealed guns are hoping to send a bill to Gov. Kathleen Sebelius this week.

Legislators enacted a concealed carry law last year over Sebelius’ veto. This year’s bill gives the state the final word on how the law is applied.

The House passed the bill last week, and the Senate gave it first-round approval Monday, setting up final action today. If senators approve the bill on final action, it will return to the House.

After the Senate’s debate, only technical differences remain between the two versions, said Sen. Phil Journey, R-Haysville. He said House members could quickly accept the Senate’s version and send it to Sebelius.

Last year’s law banned concealed guns in some locations, including bars, taverns, schools, courthouses, churches and day-care centers. Also, property owners can ban concealed guns by posting a sign.

But lawmakers complained that some Johnson County cities took it a step further, banning concealed guns from public parks, open spaces and city buildings.

The bill also allows the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to get more information from district courts and treatment facility records for background checks. It would prohibit giving a license to anyone convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence and would require all violations of the concealed gun law to be handled in district court rather than municipal court.

Under the dome

Monday was the 78th day of the 2007 session, out of 90 scheduled. The House adopted a resolution spelling out Republicans’ desire to seek market-based solutions to health care issues.