Case against Kan. House speaker faces key test

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- A quick dismissal is possible when a Kansas House committee takes up a misconduct complaint against Speaker Mike O'Neal.

The special committee planned to meet Wednesday afternoon to review the complaint against O'Neal, a Hutchinson Republican who is also a lawyer.

A group of House Democrats filed the complaint over O'Neal's work on a lawsuit against the state by businesses, trade groups and insurance funds.

O'Neal says he's broken no laws or ethics rules. Democrats contend the legal work is a conflict of interest.

The bipartisan investigating committee is chaired by House Republican Clark Shultz of Lindsborg. Shultz says the panel could consider dismissing the complaint after examining it more closely.