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Minutes for HB2656 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Creating the crime of engaging in a street stunt, providing criminal penalties therefor and adding the new offense as a method of committing fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 8, 2024
The Chair opened the hearing on HB2656. Natalie Scott provided an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1)
Lieutenant Chris Marceau from the Wichita Police Department testified in support of the bill. Lieutenant Marceau said Wichita began to see a rise in groups of motorcycles, particularly smaller motorcycles, committing several traffic violations and other crimes starting in September 2022. Some of these packs of motorcycle riders have shut down intersections, often blowing through red lights and stunting, causing safety concerns to innocent drivers. He said this issue has become prevalent in mid-size and large cities throughout the United States. (Attachment 2)
Ed Klumpp testified in support of the bill on the behalf of the Kansas Sheriffs' Association, the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Kansas Peace Officers Association. Mr. Klumpp said their association worked with the Wichita Police Department in crafting this bill and they tried to craft something to distinguish from normal traffic violations that are listed. He said this is a nationwide problem and it occurs in many of our cities across Kansas and they think this is a good solution. (Attachment 3)
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by Colonel Erik Smith, Kansas Highway Patrol. (Attachment 4)
There was no neutral or opponent testimony.
The Chair closed the hearing on HB2656.
