SB 353

                             SENATE BILL No. 353
AN ACT designating the official Kansas railroad hall of fame for the purpose of
   celebrating the rich railroad heritage of Kansas and the Kansans who were and are
   leaders in such industry; setting the location of such hall of fame at the great plains
   transportation museum in Wichita; establishing the Kansas railroad hall of fame
   selection committee; prescribing powers and duties of the committee.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Kansas:
    Section 1. (a) The legislature finds that the state of Kansas, during
the latter half of the 19th century, was a nexus for development of rail
transportation in the new frontier of the west. The growth of
transcontinental routes, as well as secondary lines that served the cattle
and farming industries and delivered goods to the burgeoning new
communities across the state, left in their wake a rich heritage of rail
travel and shipment that constituted a pivotal part of Kansas history.
Even today, goods move through Kansas by rail at a high rate, and the
railroad transportation system continues to be an important part of the
state economy. Therefore, the legislature finds that there shall be
established an officially sanctioned Kansas railroad hall of fame to
recognize the important individuals who developed rail transportation
in Kansas and continue such endeavors today. The legislature further
finds that the location that would best serve this purpose is the great
plains transportation museum, located in Wichita, because the museum
is established with a focus on transportation and could provide benefits,
synergies and facilities helpful to establishing and ensuring the success
of the Kansas railroad hall of fame.
    (b) The great plains transportation museum, located in Wichita, is
hereby designated as the official site of and repository for the Kansas
railroad hall of fame.
    (c) The management of the Kansas railroad hall of fame located at
the great plains transportation museum is vested in the Kansas railroad
hall of fame selection committee established pursuant to section 2, and
amendments thereto.
    (d) The provisions of sections 1 through 4, and amendments
thereto, shall be known and may be cited as the Kansas railroad hall of
fame act.
    Sec. 2. (a) There is hereby established the Kansas railroad hall of
fame selection committee composed of:
    (1) The executive director of the great plains transportation
museum, who shall serve ex officio with all powers of an appointed
member;
    (2) the executive director of the state historical society, who shall
serve ex officio with all powers of an appointed member;
    (3) one member who shall be initially appointed by the governor
from a list of at least five individuals nominated by the board of
directors of the great plains transportation museum. Such list shall be
comprised of current or former members of such board of directors.
The term of a great plains transportation museum board member
appointed to the selection committee shall be for the period of such
individual's membership on such museum board of directors. The term
of a former board member shall be four years. All subsequent
appointments and any vacancy in office of a member of the selection
committee appointed pursuant to this paragraph shall be filled by the
governor by appointment from a list of at least three individuals
nominated by the board of directors of the great plains transportation
museum who meet the requirements as described by this paragraph;
    (4) one representative of the public who is or has been employed
in the railroad industry as described by section 3(a)(1)(A) or (B), and
amendments thereto, to be appointed by the governor for a term of two
years;
    (5) two representatives of the public who are or have been
                   SENATE BILL No. 353—page 2
employed in the railroad industry as described by section 3(a)(1)(A) or
(B), and amendments thereto. Of such representatives of the public, one
representative shall be appointed by the president of the senate and one
representative shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives. Both appointments shall be for a term of two years;
    (6) one member appointed by the sheet metal, air, rail and
transportation workers union, or any successor to such organization;
and
    (7) one member appointed by the Kansas railroad association, or
any successor to such organization.
    (b) Upon the vacancy of office or expiration of the term of office
of any member who has been appointed, a successor shall be appointed
in the same manner as the original appointment, except as otherwise
provided by paragraph (a)(3). Vacancies in office of appointed
members with an unexpired term of years shall be filled by
appointment for the unexpired term of the member creating the
vacancy. The appointing authority may remove a member who was
appointed by such appointing authority at any time, and the resulting
vacancy shall be promptly filled as provided by this section. Appointed
members may be reappointed but shall not serve more than two
consecutive terms, including any partial term.
    (c) The Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee shall
organize annually by electing one of the committee members as
chairperson, one as vice chairperson and one as treasurer. Meetings of
the selection committee shall be held upon the call of the chairperson or
may be called by a majority of the selection committee. Meetings shall
be open to the public and shall be held at the facilities of the great
plains transportation museum, if possible, or in proximity to the Kansas
railroad hall of fame.
    (d) Members of the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection
committee shall serve without compensation, except that members may
receive reimbursement for expenses incurred in attending meetings or
performing duties for the selection committee from available moneys.
    (e) Decisions of the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection
committee shall be by the majority vote of all members. Members may
participate and vote remotely if such participation and vote is
ascertainable by members of the public physically present at the
meeting.
    Sec. 3. (a) The Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee
established pursuant to section 2, and amendments thereto, may
annually select individuals for induction into the Kansas railroad hall of
fame. The purpose of such selections shall be to honor those
individuals whose achievements in or for the Kansas railroad industry
have brought distinction to themselves and to the state of Kansas. A
candidate for induction into the Kansas railroad hall of fame shall have:
    (1) (A) Worked within this state with an officially sanctioned
railroad operating within this state;
    (B) worked within this state in the manufacture within this state of
railroad-related products, rail cars or locomotives; or
    (C) been otherwise significantly involved in the railroad industry
in this state; and
    (2) contributed significantly to rail service in Kansas or to the
preservation of the rail heritage of Kansas.
    (b) Any member of the Kansas railroad hall of fame selection
committee or interested individual may nominate a candidate for
consideration by the selection committee for induction into the Kansas
railroad hall of fame. The selection committee shall prepare and make
available to the public a nomination form available in printed format or
on the website or webpage of the Kansas railroad hall of fame. The
                   SENATE BILL No. 353—page 3
nomination form shall include:
    (1) Contact information pertaining to the nominee, including the
name, address, phone number and email address or, if the nominee is
deceased, the name and contact information of a relative or close
personal acquaintance of the nominee;
    (2) information pertaining to the nominator, including the name,
address, phone number, email address and the nominator's relationship
to the nominee;
    (3) a statement of approximately 1,000 words or more explaining
why the nominee should be a candidate for induction into the Kansas
railroad hall of fame, including how the nominee contributed to the
Kansas rail industry and meets the criteria of subsection (a)(1) and (a)
(2) and why such contribution is significant; and
    (4) such other information as may be required by the selection
committee.
    (c) The Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee may
research or request additional information as the selection committee
may find helpful in determining whether to induct a candidate into the
Kansas railroad hall of fame. Information provided to or obtained and
considered by the selection committee for the purpose of reviewing
candidates and making a decision as to which candidates are to be
inducted into the Kansas railroad hall of fame may be made available to
the public for the purpose of informing the public regarding the basis of
the committee's decision and the accomplishments and contribution of
candidates to the railroad heritage of Kansas. The selection committee
shall not be required to disclose information or records, including, but
not limited to, personally identifiable information or other personal
information provided on the nomination form, that are not required to
be disclosed by a public agency pursuant to K.S.A. 45-221, and
amendments thereto, or are protected under any other applicable state
or federal law.
    (d) The Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee:
    (1) Shall provide for an appropriate location at the facilities of the
great plains transportation museum, if possible, or in close proximity to
such facilities for the display of any plaques, trophies, mementos,
awards, photographs, biographical or historical material or other
information that may come into the committee's possession for the
purpose of recognizing the achievements of the individual Kansans
inducted into the Kansas railroad hall of fame. The selection committee
shall also provide for the appropriate display of such items or
information at such location;
    (2) may provide an outside display on a printed metal sign or signs
that may include photos of the inductees, abbreviated biographies of
inductees and information about the Kansas railroad hall of fame. The
display may be mounted on public property or a public right-of-way at
a suitable location, as determined by the selection committee in
cooperation with the Kansas department of transportation or local
government authorities. The Kansas department of transportation shall
assist with the siting and establishment of the display upon request by
the selection committee;
    (3) shall establish a website or webpage for the Kansas railroad
hall of fame, which may be located on or linked with the website of the
great plains transportation museum;
    (4) may solicit and accept gifts, grants, bequests, donations or
gratuities of money, services, real or personal property or rights from
individuals, businesses, organizations or any governmental source to be
used for the Kansas railroad hall of fame. Such moneys, property or
services shall be used for the purposes for which provided, including
the purchase of awards, outdoor or indoor displays, display or exhibit
                   SENATE BILL No. 353—page 4
cases, induction ceremonies, a website or webpage or such other
purposes for the Kansas railroad hall of fame that the selection
committee may deem appropriate. Such moneys and any fees received
pursuant to section 4, and amendments thereto, shall be deposited by
the treasurer in a suitable account of the Kansas railroad hall of fame at
an appropriate financial institution as determined by the selection
committee. All expenditures from such account shall be used for the
purposes and intent of the Kansas railroad hall of fame act and
authorized by the majority vote of the selection committee. Financial
records of the selection committee shall be maintained by the treasurer;
and
    (5) may enter into such agreements or contracts with public or
private entities or individuals to fulfill the duties and purposes of the
selection committee and the intent of this act, including, but not limited
to, agreements or contracts with the great plains transportation museum
for the use of facilities and other assistance and cooperation.
    Sec. 4. (a) The Kansas railroad hall of fame selection committee
shall provide appropriate ceremonies to induct the individuals selected
pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto, into the Kansas railroad
hall of fame. Such ceremonies shall be conducted at least annually on
approximately the same date at the facilities of the great plains
transportation museum, if possible, or in proximity to the Kansas
railroad hall of fame. Such ceremonies shall include appropriate awards
and certifications and may include food or entertainment.
    (b) The selection committee may fix and charge fees for
attendance at ceremonies described by subsection (a) to recover all or a
part of the expenses of the ceremonies or other expenses of the Kansas
railroad hall of fame. Such fees shall be deposited and expended by the
selection committee pursuant to section 3, and amendments thereto.
                    SENATE BILL No. 353—page 5
   Sec. 5. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its
publication in the statute book.
I hereby certify that the above BILL originated in the
SENATE, and passed that body
__________________________
SENATE adopted
  Conference Committee Report ________________
                        _________________________
                                                         President of the Senate.
                        _________________________
                                                         Secretary of the Senate.
Passed the HOUSE
     as amended _________________________
HOUSE adopted
  Conference Committee Report ________________
                       _________________________
                                                          Speaker of the House.
                        _________________________
                                                    Chief Clerk of the House.
APPROVED _____________________________
                        _________________________
                                                                      Governor.