Chairperson Humphries opened the Hearing on HB2754.

Jason Thompson, Office of Revisor of Statutes, presented the Bill Brief.  (Attachment 1)

Mr. Thompson stood for questions.

Proponents:

Andrea Bopp Stark, Senior Attorney, National Consumer Law Center, testified that this bill offers a targeted, balanced, and urgently needed response to a form of economic abuse that traps survivors of domestic violence in long-term financial harm - often long after the physical abuse has ended.  (Attachment 2)

Michelle McCormick, Executive Director, Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, testified that the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence supports this bill because it would create the Providing Civil Relief from Coerced Debt Act, and provide protections and remedies for victims of domestic violence for certain debts constituting coerced debt because of actions by another individual who is the perpetrator.  (Attachment 3)

The Proponents stood for questions.

The Chairperson drew attention to the Proponent Written Only testimony:

Amanda Meyers, Executive Director, Wichita Family Crisis Center  (Attachment 4)

The Chairperson drew attention to the Opponents Written Only testimonies:

Larry N. Zimmerman, Attorney, Kansas Collection Attorney Association  (Attachment 5)

Franci Wayland, Vice President Government Relations and Public Policy, PRA Group, Inc.  (Attachment 6)

Neutral Conferees:

Cale Beam, Kansas Credit Union Association, testified that while the Association appreciates the intent behind this bill, they have concerns that the bill as currently drafted lacks important safeguards and relies on overly broad definitions that could lead to unintended consequences.  (Attachment 7)

Mr. Beam stood for questions.

The Chairperson drew attention to the Neutral Written Only testimony:

Kelly VanZwoll, Senior Vice President Government Relations, Kansas Bankers Association  (Attachment 8)

The Chair closed the Hearing on HB2754.