Opinion ID: 2331492
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: Remedy for Unconstitutional Retroactive Amendment

Text: Our holding that the 2005 amendment's retroactive application violates due process requires us to determine next the proper remedy, i.e., whether the retroactivity provision is severable from the other statutory provisions enacted in 2005. In Felten Truck Line v. State Board of Tax Appeals, 183 Kan. 287, 300, 327 P.2d 836 (1958), this court stated the following test: Whether the court may sever an unconstitutional provision from a statute and leave the remainder in force and effect depends on the intent of the legislature. If from examination of a statute it can be said that the act would have been passed without the objectionable portion and if the statute would operate effectively to carry out the intention of the legislature with such portion stricken, the remainder of the valid law will stand. Whether the legislature had provided for a severability clause is of no importance. This court will assume severability if the unconstitutional part can be severed without doing violence to legislative intent. We hold the retroactivity provision in the 2005 amendment is severable and Brennan's rights are governed by the preamended statute. Therefore, we affirm the district court's entry for judgment against KIGA without allowing an offset for Brennan's medical insurance benefits received. The remaining provisions in the 2005 amendment are unaffected by our holding. Having determined the retroactivity provision violates due process and Brennan's rights are governed by the preamended K.S.A. 40-2910, this court does not need to reach Brennan's equal protection argument. See Smith v. Kansas Dept. of Revenue, 291 Kan. 510, 519, 242 P.3d 1179 (2010) (Appellate courts avoid making unnecessary constitutional decisions when there is a valid alternative ground for relief.). Affirmed. DAVIS, C.J., and LUCKERT, J., not participating. GREENE, C.J., and MALONE, J., assigned.