Amid opioid, vaping suits, Kansas looks to curb local action

(AP) Business groups and Kansas’ Republican attorney general are pushing for a state law that could prevent cities, counties and local school districts from suing big corporations such as opioid and vaping products manufacturers. The proposal would give Attorney General Derek Schmidt’s office oversight of local officials’ decisions to hire outside attorneys, and it’s modeled after a law Texas enacted last year. Supporters say they’re trying to make it easier to reach broad, nationwide settlements of legal issues, and prevent what arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce calls a “shakedown.” Critics say the measure would allow big corporations to escape accountability for their misconduct.