House bill eyes higher education efficiency, merger

House approves bill banning local limits on public gatherings; adds due process for health orders

The Kansas House on Wednesday passed a bill banning counties, joint boards of health or local health officers from prohibiting public gatherings in order to stem the spread of infectious diseases. The bill, which already passed the Senate, was expanded in the House to require the state health secretary to establish probable cause before taking action to prevent the introduction or spread of an infectious disease. The bill, approved on an 88-36 v…

House bill eyes higher education efficiency, merger

TOPEKA — A Kansas House committee is considering a bill that would create a 17-member blue-ribbon commission to study operations and priorities of public higher education institutions, including consolidation of state universities and community colleges or technical colleges.