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Minutes for HB2581 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Increasing the criminal penalties for the crime of giving a false alarm in certain circumstances.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 13, 2018
Chairman Wilborn opened the hearing on HB2581 - Increasing the criminal penalties for the crime of giving a false alarm in certain circumstances. Jason Thompson provided an overview of the bill and answered questions from committee members. (Attachment 1)
Representative John Whitmer supported HB2581 as a bipartisan effort to address false alarm issues which are often referred to as "swatting". Two false alarm events have occurred in Kansas during the past four months; one event resulted in a death. The Representative believes the bill is about holding people responsible for their actions when a false alarm results in injury or death. Representative Whitmer emphasized that these false alarms are not pranks and are not funny. The Representative answered questions from the committee. (Attachment 2)
Representative Patty Markley spoke in favor HB2581 and gave details of the false alarm event that occurred near her home in Overland Park in January 2018. This event did not result in injury or death, but it did waste taxpayer dollars and law enforcement time and did frighten those living in the neighborhood. The Representative agreed that the false alarm events are not pranks and are not funny. Representative Markley answered questions from committee members. (Attachment 3)
Greg Smith gave support for HB2581 informing the committee that "swatting" has become a type of game for the gaming community; it is at times used by gamers to prove their location. Such calls can also include spoofing so that dispatchers do not know where the call came from. He encouraged the committee to pass the bill. (Attachment 4)
Kim Parker offered her support for HB2581 and explained that the term "swatting" is applied to these events because it is the perpetrator's intention to call a SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) team to a scene where nothing has occurred. She expressed concern that this action diverts real emergency resources to a place where they are not needed. (Attachment 5)
Ed Klumpp supported HB2581 and expressed his opinion that this bill would provide good additions to the current false alarm statutes. (Attachment 6)
Mik Shanks spoke in support of HB2581 He expressed concern about law enforcement resources being diverted to false alarm sites, and offered examples from his experience as a law enforcement officer. In one incident a store he was watching was robbed while he was pulled away to a false alarm scene. Mr. Shanks commented that the offense is not new, but the methodology and intensity has changed. (Attachment 7)
Proponent conferees answered questions from committee members.
The Chairman noted written testimony in favor of HB2581 submitted by Doug Taylor, League of Kansas Municipalities. (Attachment 8)
Chairman Wilborn closed the hearing on HB2581.
