Topeka ? A number of Kansas legislators — all Republicans — are registered to attend the American Legislative Exchange Council annual conference that is under way in Salt Lake City.

ALEC has been under fire for writing and pushing for passage in state Legislatures across the nation corporate-sponsored bills opposed by environmentalists and health care advocates. More recently, ALEC has been criticized by civil rights organizations for its push for voter ID and “stand your ground” laws.

At least eight Kansas legislators, including two who are not seeking re-election, registered through Kansas Legislative Administrative Services to go to the Salt Lake City meeting.

Those registered to attend are state Sens. Julia Lynn of Olathe and Garrett Love of Montezuma; state Reps. Mike Burgess of Topeka, Terry Calloway of Pittsburg, Amanda Grosserode of Lenexa, Gary Hayzlett of Lakin, Joe Seiwert of Pretty Prairie, and Gene Suellentrop of Wichita.

Calloway and Hayzlett are not seeking re-election and their terms will expire in January.

Kansas taxpayers will be paying the registration fees of the legislators, according to the Kansas Legislative Administrative Services office. The fees are $475 each, except for Lynn and Suellentrop whose were $575 each due to late registration, according to the office.

There may be other Kansas legislators at the meeting but they did not register through the state office.