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Minutes for HB2378 - Committee on Federal and State Affairs
Short Title
Establishing the removal of squatters act, providing a procedure to remove a squatter from a dwelling unit, requiring owners or agents of dwelling units to provide an affidavit to the county sheriff, requiring notice to vacate by the sheriff, establishing the crime of providing a false affidavit and establishing a civil cause of action for wrongful removal of a person from a dwelling unit, allowing attorney fees and punitive damages.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 17, 2025
The Chairman opened the hearing on HB2378.
Mike Heim, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided a briefing(Attachment18) of HB2378 which regarded the removal of squatters act, providing a procedure to remove a squatter from a dwelling unit, requiring owners or agents to provide an affidavit to the county sheriff, requiring notice to vacate by the sheriff.
Chairman Carpenter testified(Attachment19) in support of HB2378 on his own behalf because property owners across the nation are struggling with this epidemic.
Mark Tomb testified(Attachment20) in support of HB2378 which regarded squatting being on the rise across the country. Mark represents the Kansas Association of Realtors and advised that realtors serve an important role in the state's economy and are dedicated to working with elected officials to create better communities by supporting economic development, a high quality of life and providing affordable housing opportunities while protecting the rights of private property owners.
Sheriff Easter testified(Attachment21) in support of HB2378 because while we have a low concerning abandoned property, we do not have one for removing squatters. There are some technical things in the bill in sections two through five around the requirements of the Sheriff that we would like to see addressed. He provided a list of items in sections two through five and changes recommended.
The Chairman requested the committee review the Written Only testimony(Attachment22) from Dustin Hare.
The Chairman closed the hearing on HB2378.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at 10:28 am.
