74-605. Corporation commission; qualifications and oaths of members, secretary and attorney; extra employees. No person owning any bonds, stock or property in any railroad company or other common carrier or public utility, or who is in the employment of, or who is in any way or manner pecuniarily interested in, any railroad company or other common carrier or public utility, shall be eligible, except as hereinafter provided, to the office of commissioner, attorney or secretary of said commission, nor shall such commissioner, attorney or secretary hold any office of profit or any position under any committee of any political party, or hold any other position of honor, profit or trust under or by virtue of any of the laws of the United States or of the state of Kansas. Said commissioners shall be qualified electors of the state, and shall not while such commissioners engage in any occupation or business inconsistent with their duties as such commissioners.

And if any member of the commission, at the time of his appointment, shall own any bonds, stock or property in any railroad company or other common carrier or public utility, or is in the employment of, or is in any way or manner pecuniarily interested in any railroad company or any common carrier or public utility, such commissioner or other appointee shall within thirty (30) days divest himself of such interest or employment, and upon his failing to do so he shall forfeit his office, and the governor shall remove such commissioner and shall appoint his successor, who shall hold until a successor is appointed and qualified.

Each of said commissioners, attorney and secretary shall be sworn, before entering upon the discharge of the same, to faithfully perform the duties of the respective offices. Said commission is authorized and empowered to employ, subject to the approval of the governor, such extra accountants, engineers, experts and special assistants as in its judgment may be necessary and proper to carry the provisions of this act into effect, and to fix their compensation; and such employees shall hold their office during the pleasure of said commission: Provided, That no person related by blood or marriage to any member of such commission shall be appointed or employed by said commission.

History: R.S. 1923, 74-605; L. 1967, ch. 434, § 23; July 1.