photo by: Associated Press

In this May 9, 2019 file photo, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt makes his case during oral arguments in a court of appeals case in Topeka, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

TOPEKA — The Kansas officials whose offices register charities and enforce anti-fraud laws separately want the Legislature to give both duties to one agency.

Attorney General Derek Schmidt and Secretary of State Scott Schwab are jointly proposing to have the Consumer Protection Division in the attorney general’s office handle all regulation of charities.

The two Republicans said they will present their proposal to the GOP-controlled Legislature after it convenes its next annual session Jan. 13.

The secretary of state’s office currently registers charitable organizations, solicitors and fundraisers, and the attorney general’s office enforces laws on charities and prosecutes fraudulent solicitations.

Schmidt said in a statement that putting both duties under his office is a “basic good-government proposal.”

“The current divided responsibility seems to be a case of ‘we’ve always done it that way,’ but we think we can do better and have a more-efficient system and that would benefit all Kansans,” Schmidt said.

The two offices have long coordinated the regulation of charities, including maintaining a website where people can review organizations.

“Donors and charitable organizations will benefit from streamlining charitable organization oversight,” Schwab said in a statement.