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Minutes for SB156 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Creating the crime of unlawful use of a laser pointer and providing criminal penalties therefor.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 12, 2025
Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on SB156.
Natalie Scott, Revisor's Office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 4)
Sage Hill, President, Kansas State Troopers Association, is a proponent of this bill. He states that Kansas does not have specific statutory prohibitions regarding the dangerous/nefarious use of laser pointers. We are asking to pass SB156 favorably, giving our members and other law enforcement partners the tools necessary to pursue prosecution of this dangerous activity. (Attachment 5)
Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, on behalf of Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police; Kansas Sheriffs' Association; Kansas Peace Officers Association, spoke in support of the bill. The use of lasers against law enforcement has been an increasing issue. There is a federal law against shining a laser at an aircraft, however, these cases would have to be prosecuted federally and state court prosecutions are often more practical. (Attachment 6)
R.E. “Tuck” Duncan, Executive Director, Kansas Public Transit Association, provided testimony in support of the bill. They are asking to add "an operator of a public transportation service" (as defined by K.S.A 75-5034) engaged in the performance of such operator's duties. Assaults have tripled on transit workers in the past 15 years. (Attachment 7)
Proponent, written-only testimony, in support of the bill was provided by Steve Hitchcock, Govt. Affairs, Kansas Agricultural Aviation Association. (Attachment 8)
The conferees stood for questions.
Neutral, written-only testimony was provided by James Houston Bales, BIDS Legislative Committee, Kansas State Board of Indigents' Defense Services (Attachment 9)
No further conferees.
Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing pm SB156.
