Kansas Constitution Article Two - Legislative
Kansas Constitution – Article Two: Legislative
Article Two of the Kansas Constitution outlines the structure, powers, duties, and procedures of the Legislative Department of the State of Kansas. Here's a summarized breakdown of its key sections:
Section 1 – Legislative Power
The legislative power of the state is vested in a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Section 2 – Senators and Representatives
Senators and representatives are elected from districts established by law.
The number of senators shall not exceed 40 and the number of representatives shall not exceed 125.
Section 3 – Compensation
Legislators are paid as provided by law and may also receive allowances for expenses.
Section 4 – Qualifications
To be a member of the legislature:
Must be a qualified elector.
Must be a resident of Kansas and of the district they represent.
Section 5 – Vacancies
The process for filling vacancies is defined by law.
Section 6 – Powers
The legislature has all legislative powers not denied by the Constitution and may:
Pass laws.
Approve the state budget.
Provide for the execution of state government responsibilities.
Section 7 – Organization
Each house:
Elects its own officers.
Determines its own rules.
Judges the qualifications and elections of its members.
Section 8 – Sessions
The legislature meets annually, with the time and duration of sessions set by law.
Section 9 – Journals
Each house must keep a journal of its proceedings and publish it except matters requiring secrecy.
Section 10 – Quorum and Voting
A majority constitutes a quorum.
No law is passed without a majority of the members present.
Section 11 – Bills and Resolutions
All bills must:
Be read by title on three separate days in each house.
Be confined to a single subject.
Receive a majority vote to pass.
Section 12 – Origin of Bills
Bills may originate in either house and may be amended or rejected by the other.
Section 13 – Approval by Governor
Bills must be presented to the Governor.
The Governor may sign, veto, or allow them to become law without signature.
Vetoes can be overridden by a two-thirds vote in both houses.
Section 14 – Impeachment
The House has the sole power of impeachment.
The Senate tries all impeachments with a two-thirds vote required to convict.
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