TOPEKA, Kan. (Legal Newsline) -- Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt reportedly won't serve as legal counsel to a state agency tasked with regulating natural gas, electricity, telephone, transportation and oil industries.
The Kansas Corporation Commission sought Schmidt's help in a case alleging it violated the state's Open Meetings Act.
A spokesman for the attorney general told the Topeka Capital-Journal Tuesday that Schmidt declined to defend the KCC in the civil case.
The commission, according to its website, regulates natural gas, electricity, telephone, transportation and oil industries "requiring safe, adequate and reliable services at reasonable rates." It also regulates some water utilities.
Last month, Shawnee County District Attorney Chad Taylor filed a lawsuit against the commission, alleging it violated provisions of the Open Meetings Act in deciding a water rate case.
The commission also asked Schmidt to conduct a review of its open meetings practices, but doesn't want him to issue an opinion.
From Legal Newsline: Reach Jessica Karmasek by email at jessica@legalnewsline.com.