DURING CALENDAR YEAR 1976 THE OFFICE RECEIVED 3,754 CASES AND CLOSED 3,705, RETURNING $447,766.91 TO KANSAS CONSUMERS. IN THE MAJORITY OF THESE CASES THE MERCHANDISE WAS REPAIRED, REPLACED, OR DELIVERED. THE NARRATIVE SUMMARY DESCRIBES THE OPERATION OF THE CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION, ITS SPEAKERS BUREAU, AND ITS INFORMATION SERVICE. THE FACT THAT MANY COMPLAINTS INVOLVE $10-$30 IS CALLED ONE OF THE GREATEST STRENGTHS OF THE OFFICE. WHERE APPROPRIATE, THESE CITIZENS ARE HELPED TO USE SMALL CLAIMS COURT. SEVERAL LARGE CASES INVOLVING BANKRUPT FIRMS ARE DISCUSSED IN GREATER DETAIL. ALL LITIGATION BEGUN UNDER THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT IS SUMMARIZED. AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT WHICH THE OFFICE SUPPORTS ARE REVIEWED. THE CONCLUDING REMARKS DEFINE THE OFFICE'S RESPONSIBILITIES AS (1) CREATING AN UNFAVORABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR THOSE WHO ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD AND (2) ESTABLISHING A FAVORABLE ATMOSPHERE FOR THE HONEST BUSINESSES OF KANSAS. (GLR)