SESSION OF 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 53
As recommended by Senate Committee on
Judiciary
Brief*
SB 53 would amend law concerning the selection of
attorney members of county law library (CLL) boards of
trustees and fees that may be used for enhancing and
facilitating the functions of the district court in the county.
Selection of CLL Board of Trustee Members
For CLLs located in counties other than Douglas,
Johnson, or Sedgwick counties, current law provides that at
least two resident attorneys be elected to two-year terms by a
majority of attorneys residing in the county to serve on the
CLL’s board of trustees (board).
The bill would remove the requirement that such
attorney members be elected, and would instead require the
chief judge of the judicial district appoint these attorney
members to the CLL board.
The bill would also make technical amendments to
ensure consistency in statutory phrasing.
Use of Fees
Current law provides that CLL boards may authorize
chief judges of the judicial district to use annual attorney
registration fees for the purpose of facilitating and enhancing
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
https://klrd.gov/ the functions of the district court of the county. The bill would
specify CLL boards may also authorize the chief judge to use
library fees assessed in certain court cases for this same
purpose.
Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Judiciary at the request of Senator Bowers on behalf of the
Kansas District Judges Association (KDJA).
Senate Committee on Judiciary
In the Senate Committee hearing, the Jefferson County
Attorney and a representative of KDJA provided proponent
testimony. Proponents stated the bill would enhance access
to justice for the public, increase the quality of legal research
available at CLLs, and create an easier path to fill CLL board
positions.
No other testimony was provided.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note provided by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, the Office of Judicial Administration
indicates enactment of the bill would have a negligible fiscal
effect on the Judicial Branch.
Any fiscal effect associated with enactment of the bill is
not reflected in The FY 2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
Law library; County; Attorneys; Board of Trustees of County Law Library
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