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§ 20. Powers retained by people. This enumeration of rights shall not be construed to impair or deny others retained by the people; and all powers not herein delegated remain with the people.

History: Adopted by convention, July 29, 1859; ratified by electors, October 4, 1859; L. 1861, p. 49.

Attorney General's Opinions:

Amendments to constitution; proposals by Legislature; approval by voters. 85-174.

County commission may appoint person to fill vacancy on Board of Directors of County Health Center. 2001-26.

CASE ANNOTATIONS

1. Legislative power not given to courts; appeals regulated by Legislature. Coleman v. Newby, 7 Kan. 82, 87.

2. Legislative power includes power to authorize municipal aid to railroads. Leavenworth County v. Miller, 7 Kan. 479, 490.

3. Consent of Legislature to alienation of public grounds is binding. Comm'rs of Franklin Co. v. Lathrop, 9 Kan. 453, 463.

4. Powers of people limited only by absolute justice and constitution. Wright v. Noell, 16 Kan. 601, 603.

5. Bill of rights not a mere collection of glittering generalities. Atchison Street Rly. Co. v. Mo. Pac. Rly. Co., 31 Kan. 660, 665, 3 P. 284.

6. Proceedings to condemn and destroy liquors and paraphernalia; act constitutional. The State v. McManus, 65 Kan. 720, 722, 70 P. 700.

7. Legislative powers are limited only by state and federal constitutions. Ratcliff v. Stockyards Co., 74 Kan. 1, 6, 86 P. 150.

8. Legislative power; state aid in construction of public roads; unconstitutional. The State, ex rel., v. Knapp, 99 Kan. 852, 853, 163 P. 181. (Constitution later amended. See Article 11, §§ 9, 10.)

9. Pardoning is a power of government inherent in the people. Jamison v. Flanner, 116 Kan. 624, 634, 228 P. 82.

10. Section cited in considering election of judge to fill vacancy. Forrest v. Ryan, 126 Kan. 390, 268 P. 101.

11. Constitution limits, rather than confers, power; implied inhibitions on legislative power. Lemons v. Noller, 144 Kan. 813, 816, 63 P.2d 177.

12. K.S.A. 21-2702, regulating licensing of sale of 3.2 beer, held valid. Johnson v. Reno County Comm'rs, 147 Kan. 211, 213, 223, 75 P.2d 849.

13. People exercise governmental powers through Legislatures. Manning v. Davis, 166 Kan. 278, 281, 201 P.2d 113.

14. Cited in dissenting opinion discussing separation of powers. State, ex rel., v. Fadely, 180 Kan. 652, 671, 308 P.2d 537.

15. Various federal and state constitutional objections to Water Appropriation Act (82a-701 et seq.) considered; act valid. Williams v. City of Wichita, 190 Kan. 317, 318, 340, 374 P.2d 578.

16. "Array method" prescribed by K.S.A. 44-710a of employment security act does not constitute unlawful delegation of legislative authority. Wesley Medical Center v. McCain, 226 Kan. 263, 269, 597 P.2d 1088.

17. Privacy rights of individual in bank and telephone records considered and determined; no justification for more expansive interpretation of § 15 of Kansas Bill of Rights. State v. Schultz, 252 Kan. 819, 825, 850 P.2d 818 (1993).