Topeka ? A Kansas Senate committee has endorsed a bill regulating campaigns in Kansas to oust or retain appellate court judges.

The Ethics and Elections Committee’s voice vote Thursday sends the measure to the Senate for debate.

Senators are considering the bill as abortion opponents wage a “Fire Beier” (BYE’-uhr) campaign against Supreme Court Justice Carol Beier.

Judges on the state Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals are appointed by the governor and face periodic retention votes. Last month, the state ethics commission said the retention votes aren’t covered by Kansas campaign finance laws.

The bill would cap donations to appellate judges’ retention campaigns at $2,000.