Chairperson Petersen opened the Hearing on SB445. Adam Siebers, Staff Revisor gave an explainer of the bill. There were no questions. (Attachment 11)
Doug Woods testified in support of SB445. He stated that SB445 would, upon the request of a Kansas law enforcement agency to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Advisory Committee, required KHP and the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) to make available temporary personnel and other assistance to such agency in support of funeral services honoring law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty in the services of the state. (Attachment 12)
In 2025, Kansas experienced the extraordinary loss of four law enforcement officers in the line of duty:
- Undersheriff Brandon Pierce Gaede, 30, of the Phillips County Sheriff's Office.
- Deputy Sheriff Elijah Ming, 34, of the Wyandotte County Sheriff's Office
- Officer Hunter Simoncic, 26, of the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department
- Sergeant Scott William Heimann, 32, of the Hays Police Department
Don Scheibler gave proponent testimony. (Attachment 13) He said SB445 would allow any Kansas law enforcement agency to request - through the Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial Advisory Committee-assistance from the Superintendent of the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation for the temporary assignment of personnel to support funeral services for a fallen law enforcement officer. He personally experienced the kindness and compassion that the Line-of-Duty-Death Team exhibited to his police department and the family of Hays Police Department Sergeant Scott Heimann when he was killed in the line of duty on September 28, 2025.
Tony Mattivi spoke as a supporter of SB445. (Attachment 14) He said the KBI fully supports SB445, with its mandatory "shall" language that creates a clear, formal and reliable process for deploying temporary personnel and other assistance when requested. This narrowly tailored requirement imposes no ongoing mandates or new spending. It simply formalizes the KBI existing cooperative spirit into a dependable mechanism that enhances dignity, professionalism, and equity in how Kansas honors its heroes.
They answered questions from committee members.
Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by Amanda Wood, President, KS State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police. (Attachment 15)
Chairperson Petersen closed the Hearing on SB445.