courts

Bill Changes How Kan. Court Docket Fees Are Spent

Stephen Koranda — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 10:42:21 +0000

The Kansas House has narrowly approved a change in how some state programs are funded. Certain programs receive money from docket fees paid in the court system, but a bill in the House would instead put that docket fee money in the state general fund.

The money from docket fees goes to 14 programs, including the state Trauma Fund and the Access to Justice Fund. Supporters of the change say the docket money should instead be put into the state general fund, where lawmakers could then appropriate it to the programs.

Proposal Would Change Judicial Selection Process

Associated Press — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:03:41 +0000

A proposal to give Kansas governors and lawmakers more power over appointments to the state's appellate courts cleared a legislative committee Wednesday.

The measure would amend the Kansas Constitution to allow governors to appoint whomever they choose to the state Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, subject to Senate confirmation. It would scrap the statewide, attorney-led commission that now screens applications.

Currently, the commission nominates three finalists for the governor, who then makes the appointment without legislative review.

Justice Department Opposes Hawker Bonus Plan

The Associated Press and Frank Dudgeon — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 19:29:08 +0000

The Justice Department’s bankruptcy watchdog agency opposes a move by Hawker Beechcraft to pay eight senior executives more than $5.3 million in bonuses.