K.S.A. § 74-8805 — KS Code / Chapter 74 / Article 88 / Section 74-8805
74-8805 - Executive director and other personnel of commission; requirements prior to appointment or employment.
Status: in_force

74-8805. Executive director and other personnel of commission; requirements prior to appointment or employment. (a) (1) The governor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by the senate as provided by K.S.A. 75-4315b, and amendments thereto, an executive director of the commission, to serve at the pleasure of the governor and under the direction and supervision of the commission. Except as provided by K.S.A. 46-2601, and amendments thereto, no person appointed as executive director shall exercise any power, duty or function as executive director until confirmed by the senate. Before appointing any person as executive director, the governor shall cause the Kansas bureau of investigation to conduct a criminal history record check and background investigation of the person.

(2) The executive director shall: (A) Be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act; (B) devote full time to the executive director's assigned duties; (C) receive such compensation as determined by the governor, subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor; (D) be a citizen of the United States and an actual resident of Kansas during employment by the commission; (E) not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States prior to or during employment by the commission; and (F) have familiarity with the horse and dog racing industries sufficient to fulfill the duties of the office of executive director.

(3) The executive director shall: (A) Recommend to the commission the number and qualifications of employees necessary to implement and enforce the provisions of this act; (B) employ persons for those positions approved by the commission, subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor; and (C) perform such other duties as directed by the commission.

(b) (1) The executive director shall appoint an inspector of parimutuels to serve at the pleasure of the executive director. Before appointing any person as inspector of parimutuels, the executive director shall cause the Kansas bureau of investigation to conduct a criminal history record check and background investigation of the person.

(2) The inspector of parimutuels shall: (A) Be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act; (B) devote full time to the inspector's assigned duties; (C) receive such compensation as determined by the executive director, subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor; (D) be a citizen of the United States and an actual resident of Kansas during employment as inspector of parimutuels; (E) not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States prior to or during employment by the commission; and (F) be a certified public accountant with at least three years of auditing experience.

(3) The inspector of parimutuels shall: (A) Inspect and audit the conduct of parimutuel wagering by organization licensees, including the equipment and facilities used and procedures followed; (B) train and supervise such personnel as employed by the executive director to assist with such duties; and (C) perform such other duties as directed by the executive director.

(c) (1) The executive director shall appoint a director of security to serve at the pleasure of the executive director. Before appointing any person as director of security, the executive director shall cause the Kansas bureau of investigation to conduct a criminal history record check and background investigation of the person in accordance with K.S.A. 2025 Supp. 22-4715, and amendments thereto.

(2) The director of security shall: (A) Be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act; (B) devote full time to the security director's assigned duties; (C) receive such compensation as determined by the executive director, subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor; (D) be a citizen of the United States and an actual resident of Kansas during employment as director of security; (E) not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States prior to or during employment by the commission; and (F) be a professional law enforcement officer with a minimum of five years' experience in the field of law enforcement and at least a bachelor's degree in law enforcement administration, law, criminology or a related science or, in lieu thereof, a minimum of 10 years' experience in the field of law enforcement.

(3) The director of security shall: (A) Conduct investigations relating to compliance with the provisions of this act and rules and regulations of the commission; (B) recommend proper security measures to organization licensees; (C) train and supervise such personnel as employed by the executive director to assist with such duties; and (D) perform such other duties as directed by the executive director.

(d) (1) The executive director may appoint a director of racing operations to serve at the pleasure of the executive director. Before appointing any person as director of racing operations, the executive director shall cause the Kansas bureau of investigation to conduct a criminal history record check and background investigation of the person.

(2) The director of racing operations shall: (A) Be in the unclassified service under the Kansas civil service act; (B) devote full time to the director's assigned duties; (C) receive such compensation as determined by the executive director, subject to the limitations of appropriations therefor; (D) be a citizen of the United States and an actual resident of Kansas during employment as director of racing operations; (E) not have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States prior to or during employment by the commission; and (F) have a minimum of five years' experience in racing operations.

(3) The director of racing operations shall: (A) Supervise racing operations, including stewards and racing judges; (B) be responsible for training and education of stewards and racing judges; (C) advise the commission on necessary or desirable changes in rules and regulations relating to conduct of races; (D) train and supervise such personnel as employed by the executive director to assist with such duties; and (E) perform such other duties as directed by the executive director.

(e) The commission may appoint an advisory committee of persons knowledgeable in the horse and greyhound breeding and racing industries to provide information and recommendations to the commission regarding the administration of this act. Members of such advisory committee shall serve without compensation or reimbursement of expenses.

(f) Except as otherwise provided by this act, all employees of the commission shall be in the classified service under the Kansas civil service act.

(g) No employee of the commission shall have been convicted of a felony under the laws of any state or of the United States prior to or during employment by the commission. Before employing any person, the commission shall cause a criminal history record check of the person to be conducted.

(h) The commission shall cause the Kansas bureau of investigation to conduct a criminal history record check and background investigation of a person before employing the person in any of the following positions:

(1) Deputy director;

(2) accountant;

(3) computer systems analyst;

(4) legal assistant;

(5) auditor;

(6) racing judge;

(7) steward;

(8) enforcement agent;

(9) office supervisor;

(10) human resource manager;

(11) office specialist; or

(12) any other sensitive position, as determined by the commission.