Governor Kelly Vetoes One Bill, Allows Other to Pass Without Signature

Governor Laura Kelly. Picture Courtesy of the Office of the Governor website.

Governor Kelly has announced her veto of House Bill 2346 and has also announced the passing of House Bill 2018 without her signature.

House Bill 2346, which the Governor vetoed, would start the Kansas sports tourism grant program. This program would allow communities and entities to apply for matching grants to continue and attract new sporting events.

Governor Kelly released a statement on her veto, saying:

“Kansas already has a fund dedicated to attracting sports related activities to Kansas. If the Legislature wants to direct a portion of those funds to local communities for sports attraction they should do so.”

Substitute for House Bill 2018, which the Governor allowed to pass without her signature, provides criminal penalties for interrupting religious assemblies and allows for cause of action for any damages that came about during said interruption.

Governor Kelly also released a statement on her passing with signature:

“This bill is born out of a tension between two fundamental rights: the right to freely practice religion and the right to freedom of expression. This type of tension is not uncommon in a democracy that has enumerated as many constitutional rights as we enjoy and seek to protect today.

However, I am concerned that this legislation addresses this tension in a manner that prioritizes one of these rights over the other, and will result in costly litigation.”