TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - Fantasy sports would be declared a legal game of skill under a bill approved by the Kansas Senate in a 37-1 vote Monday.
Lawmakers moved several pieces of legislation as they shift into the final stretch of the session. The fantasy sports bill would clarify an ongoing dispute over the legal status of fantasy football leagues if passed by the House and signed by Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
The Kansas Constitution allows only the state to administer games that fit a broad definition of lottery, and the state’s gambling regulator announced in August it viewed private fantasy sports leagues as illegal lotteries. But Attorney General Derek Schmidt released an opinion in April asserting that they are legal games of skill.
Here’s a look at the significant legislation taken up by lawmakers Monday:
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FANTASY SPORTS
In fantasy sports leagues, players compete against one another by making up digital teams out of a pool of real athletes and tracking how well they play in their games. Players are awarded a score based on the performance of their assortment of athletes, and leagues and fantasy sports websites often award cash prizes to the best teams.
Republican Rep. Brett Hildabrand from Shawnee has said he introduced the fantasy sports legalization language to prevent ordinary residents from being charged with gambling violations for playing the popular games.
The bill would also set new regulations for charity bingo and raffle fundraisers.
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SCRAP THEFT
Scrap thieves who do more than $5,000 worth of damage when stealing valuable metals would face jail time under a bill endorsed by the House Judiciary Committee.
Supporters of the bill say tougher penalties are needed because scrap thieves often do thousands of dollars in damage to worksites and agricultural equipment. But some lawmakers expressed concern with the bill, because it’s estimated that it would increase the state’s already overcapacity prison population by 20 to 57 prisoners by 2025.
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ELECTION FRAUD
Kansas’ secretary of state would have the power to prosecute election fraud under a second bill endorsed by the House Judiciary Committee.
The panel voted 14-8 to advance the bill, which would also increase election fraud penalties to felony charges.
Democratic Rep. John Carmichael from Wichita attempted to attach three amendments to the bill reducing its scope, but all failed. He said he was concerned the measure could be used to initiate felony prosecutions against people who did not intentionally break the law.
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CIGARETTE TAX
Representatives of the anti-smoking advocacy group Kansans for a Healthy Future said at a news conference that increasing cigarette taxes would both bring in revenue and save the state money as it reduces smoking.
Brownback has proposed increasing the cigarette tax to $2.29 a pack from 79 cents. He has also recommended raising the tax on other tobacco products to 25 percent from 10 percent as the state looks to fill budget shortfalls of roughly $422 million.
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Online:
Kansas Legislature: https://www.kslegislature.org .
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