Kansas Senate hearings begin tomorrow (TUE) on Governor Sam Brownback’s nominee for the state Court of Appeals. Brownback chose his office’s top attorney, Caleb Stegall, to fill the seat on the second-highest court in Kansas. This is the first appointment under a new system in which the governor chooses nominees for the Kansas Court of Appeals, who then must be confirmed by the state Senate. Republican Jeff King of Independence chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee. He told KPR last month that the proceedings will begin with a quick refresher on the new selection process.
The special session was called to fix the state’s Hard 50 sentencing law for convicted murderers. That law was called into question after a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. But the state Constitution requires appointments to be considered during the special session, as well.