House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB378 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Creating the crime of counterfeiting currency.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 7, 2018
The Chairman opened the hearing on SB378 - Creating the crime of counterfeiting currency. Jason Thompson provided an overview of the bill and answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 11)
Thomas Stanton supported SB378 and explained that current Kansas statutes do not clearly address counterfeiting money. The crime is regulated by federal law, but the bill would make it clear that counterfeiting is a crime which can be prosecuted at the state level as well. (Attachment 12)
Greg Tiano spoke in favor of SB378 stating it provides protection for Kansas citizens. Mr. Tiano exhibited a stack of counterfeit money totaling $32,000 which was seized in Wichita in January of this year. Because prosecution at the federal level often does not occur, offenders have been known to consider counterfeiting a 'safe crime' in Kansas. Inconsistency in prosecution at the federal level can also lead to inconsistencies in the count of an individual's offenses. (Attachment 13)
Ed Klumpp gave support for SB378 and commented that the money exhibited by Mr. Tiano was turned in by banks and there is no way to know who passed the bills. Law enforcement agencies take reports of counterfeiting crimes but it is hard to prosecute them so they get thrown in with other offenses; this makes it difficult to track how much counterfeiting is occurring. Mr. Klumpp indicated the bill was framed to target those who knowingly pass counterfeit bills. (Attachment 14)
Conferees answered questions from committee members.
Chairman Wilborn closed the hearing on SB378.
