Lawmakers seek advice on Docking building controversy

TOPEKA – Lawmakers say the Kansas attorney general has been asked to analyze state agreements on plans to implode a state office building and build a new Capitol Complex energy plant.

The $20 million deal reached in December by the Kansas Department of Administration has been subject to scrutiny because the contract for private financing and a contract with a construction firm weren’t vetted by the Legislature.

The House-Senate state building committee on Thursday said Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt has been asked to provide legal analysis of agreements signed by the executive branch for implosion of Docking State Office Building and construction of the new Capitol Complex energy plant.

Sarah Shipman, acting secretary of the Department of Administration, said the agency acted with statutory authority.

This story was originally published February 11, 2016 at 7:20 PM with the headline "Lawmakers seek advice on Docking building controversy."