"What we are seeing is an incredible growth in signs dealing with sexually oriented businesses. My concern is Kansas families, when driving down the highways, not be exposed to these signs," Huelskamp, R-Fowler, told the Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee.
The Associated Press report said in a recent story that the committee took no action on the “sex tax” bill after Tuesday's hearing.
Under the bill, continued the report, no sign or other outdoor advertising for a sexually oriented business could be within a mile of any highway or interstate. A business within a mile of such roadways could post no more than two signs - one no more than 40 square feet with the name, address, phone number and operating hours, and another noting the premises are off-limits to minors.
Carl Manning’s story said that Signs already in place could remain for three years after the bill becomes law.The bill is modeled on a 2004 Missouri law that has been upheld by a U.S. District Court judge, said Jim Jenkins, attorney for the Alliance Defense Fund's Kansas office."If it's challenged in Kansas, I feel the federal judge will take notice of the decision in Missouri," Jenkins said.
The report said that a House Taxation Committee also recently heard testimony for a bill to impose a 10 percent tax on strip clubs, escort services, adult book stores and similar businesses. The bill was sent to a subcommittee for reworking.
"I didn't send it to a subcommittee to kill it; the committee will vote on it," said Chairman Kenny Wilk, R-Lansing.
The story concluded by reporting that the estimated $1 million from the tax on revenues would be used to finance programs for such things as helping sex crime victims and prosecuting those using the Internet to commit sex crimes against children.
