*********************************************************** * ACTION ALERT - NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE * *********************************************************** * Bob Morton, NAC Chairman/Exec Dir: ctnudists@aol.com * * Charles Harris, NAC Board Member: harrisnat@aol.com * * Scootch Pankonin, Gov't Affairs: scootchdc@aol.com * * Dennis Kirkpatrick, Online Rep: nat@tiac.net * *********************************************************** DATE: February 2, 2000 STATE: KANSAS SUBJECT: Kansas House of Representatives considers a bill that would declare nudist camps to be nuisances. To All Kansas Naturists: First-term Representative Cindy Hermes (R-Topeka) has introduced legislation that would declare nudist camps in the state to be nuisances. The bill would force nudist camps to shut down and would expose their owners and operators to steep fines and forfeitures if they do not comply. Additionally, it would prevent nudists and Naturists from even temporarily renting facilities for social gatherings. WHY HAS THIS BILL BEEN INTRODUCED? The bill was written by freshman legislator Hermes in response to a request from a constituent involved in a local zoning dispute with the Lake Edun Foundation, a Naturist group that leases facilities near Topeka. Legal observers, including many state legislators, view the matter properly as a local issue that should be addressed locally. They point out that the state legislature is no place to resolve such problems. Nevertheless, now that this anti-nudity measure has been introduced for consideration in the Kansas House of Representatives, it will undoubtedly find support among a number of legislators. EXACTLY WHAT DOES THE BILL SAY? You will be shocked and amazed at the outright assault on nudists included in the language of HB 2726. If this bill is passed into law, anyone who "permits, maintains or assists in maintaining" a nudist camp will be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding $25,000, or both. This nasty attack on nude recreation is exactly what it appears to be, and it must be stopped. NAC has placed the full text of HB 2726 online at: www.owlnet.rice.edu/~morton/Public/Bill_Texts/Kansas_HB_2726/kansas_hb_2726.ht ml WHAT HAPPENS NOW? The bill has been assigned to the House Committee on Local Government, of which Rep. Hermes, the sponsor, is a member. The committee will decide whether to recommend HB 2726 to the full membership of the House. WHAT CAN BE DONE? The Naturist Action Committee is asking that residents of Kansas immediately contact as many members as possible of the House Committee on Local Government. Those who do not live in Kansas are NOT being asked to contact members of the legislative committee at this time. HOW DO I CONTACT THE LEGISLATORS? A list of committee members is given at the end of this Action Alert. If you are a Kansas resident, NAC asks that you write to each of the representatives on the committee. Phone calls and e-mails are acceptable, too, though they are judged by some to be somewhat less effective. If you're unable to contact all 17 committee members, NAC suggests that you target the Chair, the Vice Chair and Rep. Hermes, the sponsor of the bill. If the legislator representing your district is on the committee, BE SURE to make that contact and identify yourself as a constituent. Remember, Rep. Hermes introduced the bill in the first place only because a constituent requested it. WHEN YOU WRITE... a) Whether by letter or e-mail, be polite and to the point. b) Identify yourself and give your address. Unsigned letters are generally discarded. If you are a constituent of the Representative to whom you are writing, be sure to say so. c) Say clearly that you are opposed to House Bill 2726. d) Explain that this bill attempts to resolve a local zoning issue by dragging the state legislature into it. e) Point out that nudists and naturists are everyday citizens who have jobs, buy goods and services, pay taxes and vote. Nudist camps are legitimate enterprises that strive to be good neighbors. f) You might mention that since HB 2726 so clearly singles out one law abiding minority group for punitive action, multiple lawsuits against the State of Kansas can be expected. Defending against such legal action is not a wise way to spend the resources of the state. g) House Bill 2726 would make bad law. Ask that the committee members report it UNFAVORABLY from the committee. Ask specifically that they VOTE AGAINST HB 2726. IF YOU CALL... Make the same points that you would make if you were writing a letter. Be brief, be polite and be prepared to give your name and address. Anonymous phone calls are generally ignored. It's likely that the Representative will not be available when you call. Ask for a legislative assistant. Your call will be reported to the Representative. LOOK FOR UPDATES AND FURTHER ACTION ALERTS FROM NAC The Naturist Action Committee will keep you informed on the progress of the effort to defeat HB 2726. HELP NAC HELP NATURISTS The Naturist Action Committee (NAC) is the nonprofit volunteer arm of The Naturist Society (TNS). NAC exists to advance and protect the rights of Naturists throughout North America. NAC board members are democratically elected from and by the membership of TNS. Since NAC itself has no membership roster on which to assess dues, it relies completely on the generous support of Naturists like you. Please decide to make a difference for the defense of Naturism by sending a donation of any amount to: NAC P.O. Box 132 Oshkosh, WI 54903 If you prefer to use your Visa or MasterCard, you may call (920) 426-5009 during regular business hours. Thank you in advance for your help. Naturally, Charles Harris NAC Board Member ------------ MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE All members of the committee received their postal mail at the state capitol building. Address your letters with the Representative's name, the words "State Capitol Bldg." followed by the room number of the Representative's office, the city, state and ZIP code. Rep. NAME HERE State Capitol Bldg., Room _____ Topeka, KS 66612 --------------- Carlos Mayans (R-Wichita) Committee Chair, Room Number: 115-S Phone: (785) 296-7616 mayans@house.state.ks.us Kay O'Connor (R-Olathe) Committee Vice Chair, Room Number: 431-N Phone: (785) 296-7683 Fax: (785) 296-7683 oconnor@house.state.ks.us, kayoisok@msn.com Melany Barnes (D-Wichita) Room Number: 284-W Phone: (785) 296-7673 barnes@house.state.ks.us Donald L. Dahl (R-Hillsboro) Room Number: 156-E Phone: (785) 296-7659 dahl@house.state.ks.us Joann Flower (R-Oskaloosa) Room Number: 181-W Phone: (785) 296-7684 flower@house.state.ks.us Ruby Gilbert (D-Wichita) Ranking Minority Member, Room Number: 281-W Phone: (785) 296-7691 gilbert@house.state.ks.us Cindy Hermes (R-Topeka) Author of HB 2726, Room Number: 181-W Phone: (785) 296-7684 hermes@house.state.ks.us, hermes@cjnetworks.com Deena L. Horst (R-Salina) Room Number: 181-W Phone: (785) 296-7631 horst@house.state.ks.us, deena@informatics.net David Huff (R-Lenexa) Room Number: 174-W Phone: (785) 296-7655 huff@house.state.ks.us Margaret E. Long (D-Kansas City) Room Number: 272-W Phone: (785) 296-7657 longm@house.state.ks.us Peggy R. Palmer (R-Augusta) Room Number: 175-W Phone: (785) 296-7644 palmer@house.state.ks.us Ethel M. Peterson (D-Dodge City) Room Number: 272-W Phone: (785) 296-7657 petersone@house.state.ks.us Jeff Peterson (R-Manhattan) Room Number: 182-W Phone: (785) 296-7696 petersonj@house.state.ks.us, jpeterso@ink.org Joe D. Shriver (D-Arkansas City) Room Number: 273-W Phone: (785) 296-7648 shriver@house.state.ks.us Sue Storm (D-Overland Park) Room Number: 272-W Phone: (785) 296-7650 storm@house.state.ks.us John M. Toplikar (R-Olathe) Majority Caucus Chairperson, Room Number: 115-S Phone: (785) 296-7682 toplikar@house.state.ks.us Gwen Welshimer (D-Wichita) Room Number: 281-W Phone: (785) 296-7687 welshimer@house.state.ks.us -------- END ---------