SMOKING LEGISLATION MOVES TO FULL SENATE
A watered-down ban on smoking in indoor public places hobbled out
of a state Senate committee Wednesday.
The measure was sent by the Judiciary Committee to the full
Senate with no recommendation as to whether it should pass or
fail.
The bill would impose a statewide smoking ban but allow county
commissioners to opt out of the prohibition. If they do, voters
could petition to have the right to decide the matter at the
polls.
Cities, such as Lawrence, which already have indoor smoking
bans, would not be affected if the county decided to opt out of
the proposal, lawmakers said.
Originally, Senate Bill 37 simply banned smoking in workplaces,
bars, restaurants and other indoor areas.
But Sen. Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said his provision to
allow counties to opt out and then to allow voters to decide the
issue would give the public more time to consider the issue.
