Page:The Federal and state constitutions v2.djvu/569

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
1206
Kansas—1857

sent of two-thirds, may expel a member, but not a second time for the same offence. The names of the members voting on the question shall be spread upon the journal.

Sec. 11. Each house during the session may, in its discretion, punish by fine, imprisonment, or both, any person not a member, for disrespectful or disorderly behavior in its presence, or for obstructing any of its proceedings: Provided, Such fine shall not exceed two hundred dollars, or such imprisonment shall not extend beyond the end of the session.

Sec. 12. Each house of the legislature shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and cause the same to be published as soon after the adjournment as may be provided by law.

Sec. 13. Neither house during the session of the legislature shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, (Sundays excepted,) nor to any other place than that in which they may be sitting.

Sec. 14. The senate, when assembled, shall choose its officers, and the house of representatives shall choose a speaker and its other officers, and each branch of the legislature shall be the judge of the qualifications, elections, and returns of its members.

Sec. 15. A majority of each house of the legislature shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and compel the attendance of absent members in such manner as each house may prescribe.

Sec. 16. Each member of the legislature shall receive from the public treasury such compensation for his services as may be fixed by law; but no increase of compensation shall take effect during the term for which the members ire elected when such law passed.

Sec. 17. Bills may originate in either house, but may be altered, amended, or rejected by the other, and all bills shall be read by sections on three several days, except, on an extraordinary occasion, two-thirds of the members may dispense with such reading, but in no case shall a bill be passed without having once been read; and every bill having passed both houses shall be signed by the speaker and president in the presence of their respective houses.

Sec. 18. The legislature shall provide by law for filling all vacancies that may occur in either house by the death, resignation, or otherwise of any of its members.

Sec. 19. The doors of each house shall be open, except on such occasions as, in the opinion of the house, the public safety may require secrecy.

Sec. 20. Every law enacted by the legislature shall embrace but one subject, and that shall be expressed in its title, and any extraneous matter introduced in a bill which shall pass shall be void; and no law shall be amended by its title, but in such case the act or section amended shall be reenacted and published at length.

Sec. 21. Every act and joint resolution shall be plainly worded, avoiding, as far as practicable, the use of technical terms.

Sec. 22. The legislature shall meet every two years at the seat of government.

Sec. 23. The legislature shall provide for an enumeration of inhabitants by law. An apportionment of representatives in the legislature shall be provided by law according to population, as nearly as may be.