Bill restricting local governments from passing rental inspection, nutrition labeling laws sent to Brownback
The Kansas Senate gave final passage Sunday to a bill that pre-empts local governments from enacting certain laws or regulations affecting real estate, rental property, retail food sales and private-sector working conditions.
The House approved the bill Saturday night, 76-45. The Senate’s 32-6 vote Sunday sends the bill to Gov. Sam Brownback.
The bill would prohibit cities or counties from:
• Enacting or enforcing rental licensing programs that provide for periodic interior inspections of rental dwellings without the occupant’s consent.
• Enacting laws or regulations regarding nutritional content or labeling of food sold at retail.
• Regulating the sale or resale price of real estate.
• Enacting laws or regulations governing the schedules or work hours of private-sector employees.
Sens. Marci Francisco of Lawrence and Tom Holland of Baldwin City, both Democrats, spoke against the bill, noting that three of the four provisions — all but the rental inspections provision — were never considered before in the Senate. Francisco tried unsuccessfully to refer the bill back to a conference committee for further amendment.
But Sen. Julia Lynn, R-Olathe, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, argued that all four provisions were important to protect personal rights.