House panel dismisses complaint against Democrat accused of misleading debate

? A House investigative panel has dismissed a complaint against a Wichita Democrat.

The complaint filed by 26 Republicans accused Rep. Jim Ward of misleading the House during a debate on an amendment he proposed to a property tax bill.

A bipartisan panel unanimously dismissed the complaint Thursday.

Ward said he did nothing wrong, and said Republicans simply didn’t read his amendment before voting on it.

The Wichita Eagle reports that Rep. Lance Kinzer, an Olathe Republican, said House members had other ways to learn what Ward’s amendment did. He and others also said they don’t want an investigation whenever someone thinks a legislator didn’t properly explain a bill or amendment.

None of the Republicans who signed the complaint asking that Ward be censured or expelled testified to the committee.