TOPEKA (KSNT) – We’re only two weeks into the legislative session, and already the Kansas Legislature is making national headlines, because of a committee rule some are calling sexist.

“Sexism is alive and well with some of my colleagues,” said Sen. Laura Kelly, a Democrat from Topeka.

That’s how many women at the statehouse feel after hearing about a new “dress code” for the Senate Committee on Ethics and Elections.

“An individual is an individual and I don’t judge what other people would choose to feel is appropriate,” said Rep. Peggy Mast, a Republican from Emporia.

The rule that’s causing so much controversy states anyone speaking to the committee should be dressed professionally, and specifically women should not wear low cut necklines or mini-skirts.

“There was not suggestion that men needed any help deciding what to put on in the morning. It was targeted only at women. I think in 2016 that’s absurd,” said Kelly.

Some women aren’t sure right now how long skirts are expected to be, or how high of a neckline they should wear. It also isn’t clear how this rule will be enforced.

“Perhaps we can just have a shawl that she can put on before she steps up to the microphone to testify,” said Sen. Kelly.

Senator Mitch Holmes is the chair of that committee, and is the one who wrote the rule.

KSNT News went to his office to ask directly about the motive behind the rule, only to find him gone for the weekend.

On Tuesday January 26, 2015, Senator Holmes issued the following statement to KSNT News.

“My failure to clearly specify that all conferees, regardless of gender, should strive to present themselves professionally is unacceptable. I apologize and meant no offense. I have decided to retract the conferee guidelines.”

“It’s hard enough to get people to come and testify as it is and now we’re saying that they’re, now we’re giving them a particular dress?” questions Rep. Barbara Ballard, a Democrat from Lawrence.

It’s frustrating and demeaning for many of these lawmakers, who say they just want to focus on the state’s real issues.

“You know, we have revenues that are in the tank. We have a school finance formula that we need to develop. We ought to be establishing a rainy day fund for all sorts of things. Real issues that we need to deal with and I think this issue is insulting,” said Kelly.

No other committees have dress codes in place at this time, but there is a generic dress code for lawmakers and anyone else who enters the House or Senate Floor while in session.