SALINA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas motorists will pay higher vehicle registration fees starting in July to provide extra funds for the state Highway Patrol to hire additional troopers. Governor Sam Brownback signed a bill boosting fees into law Thursday during a ceremony in Salina. It is home to the patrol's training center. The new law also includes another fee increase to provide additional funds for a center in Hutchinson that trains other law enforcement officers. Vehicle registration fees will increase $3.25. Most vehicle owners now pay $35. A $2 increase will raise $5.4 million a year for the patrol so it can hire an additional 75 troopers. Thirty-five of the state's 105 counties have no assigned trooper. An additional $1.25 fee increase will raise $3.4 million annually for the Hutchinson training center.
