TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Kansas Highway Patrol is proposing an increase in the state’s vehicle title fee to pay for more officers in 35 counties that currently have no assigned troopers.

The KBI says it is also looking for ways to fill 20 job openings.

Patrol Superintendent Mark Bruce on Monday suggested the vehicle title fee be increased to $17.50 from $10, with the revenue earmarked to hire 75 more patrol troopers.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports KBI Director Kirk Thompson said his agency has 20 openings for criminal investigators and is struggling to keep forensic scientists because of low pay. He says the KBI had funds to add five more agents in the past year but is having trouble attracting candidates.