Kan. House speaker names ethics commission member

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Hays pharmacist has been appointed to the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission by state House Speaker Ray Merrick.

Merrick says James Meier will serve a two-year term on the nine-member commission. It enforces ethics, lobbying and campaign finance laws.

Meier will replace former state Rep. John Reimer, of Tecumseh, who has served almost six years on the commission. Reimer’s term expires at the end of January.

Meier is a specialty oncology pharmacist, practicing at the Hays Medical Center’s cancer institute. He received his doctorate in pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas in 2011.

Legislative leaders appoint four of the commission’s members, and two are named by the governor. The attorney general, secretary of state and chief justice of the state Supreme Court also have appointees.