House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
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 Mon, Mar 10, 2025
Chair Humphries opened the hearing on SB156 at 4:34pm
Jason Thompson, Office of Revisor of Statutes, presented the bill brief. (Attachment 16)
Proponent Officer Sage Hill, President, Kansas State Troopers Association, testified that there is federal law against shining a laser at an aircraft in operation. In Kansas laser pointer incidents toward aircraft are becoming more common and create very hazardous situations. This bill would give Kansas State Troopers and other law enforcement partners the tools necessary to pursue prosecution of this dangerous activity under state law, enhancing public safety. (Attachment 17)
Ed Klumpp, Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police/Kansas Sheriffs Association/Kansas Peace Officers Association, testified that the use of laser toward law enforcement officers has increased greatly. Eye protection goggles are now more common in tactical gear used by officers. At this time cases have to be prosecuted federally, while state court prosecutions are often more practical. (Attachment 18)
Chair Humphries called attention to the neutral written only testimony:
J. Houston Bales, BIDS Legislative Committee (Attachment 19)
Chair Humphries closed the hearing on SB156 at 4:59pm.
Chair Humphries adjourned the meeting at 5:00pm.
