Chairperson Rahjes opened the hearing on SB 344.  Revisor Kyle Hamilton was asked to brief the Committee on the bill. (Attachment 8)  He stood for questions.

The fiscal note was reviewed by Analyst Walter Schmidt.

Chairperson Rahjes invited Cappi Hoeting, Policy Intern, Kansas Department of Agriculture, to provide in-person Proponent testimony. (Attachment 9) 

Senator Doug Shane, District 37, Kansas Senate, shared his Proponent testimony. (Attachment 10)

Additional Proponent testimony was delivered by Reily Goyne, Deputy Director, Kansas Pet Advocates, Inc.(Attachment 11)

Sydney Mollentine, CNP, Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, orally supported SB 344. (Attachment 12) 

Supporting the bill as a Proponent was Emily Wallace, Vice President of Operations, Great Plains SPCA. (Attachment 13)

Jasmine Kyle, Director, Southwest Kansas Humane Society, provided Proponent testimony via WebEx. (Attachment 14)

Speaking last, Anne Marie Yatsula, Staff Attorney, The League of Kansas Municipalities, offered additional Proponent testimony (Attachment 15)

Written-Only Proponent testimony was received from:

Ashley Flores, Vice President of Operations, Great Plains SPCA (Attachment 16)

Trent Eddy, DVM, Great Plains SPCA (Attachment 17)

Jacqueline Morino, DVM, Great Plains SPCA (Attachment 18)

Vanessa Cowie, CEO, Prairie Paws Animal Shelter (Attachment 19)

Ellen Querner, President, Pals Animal Rescue, Inc. (Attachment 20)

Jane Dockery, Animal Care and Control Manager, City of Olathe (Attachment 21)

There was no other testimony presented on this bill.

Chairperson Rahjes thanked all of the conferees and closed the hearing on SB 344.

Chairperson Rahjes announced the Committee would meet next Tuesday for an update from Kansas State University's College of Agriculture and to work the bills heard today.

The meeting adjourned at 4:38 p.m.

The next meeting of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.