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Minutes for HB2097 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Providing method for calculating cost of keeping civil prisoners in county jail.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 6, 2019
Natalie Scott, Assistant Revisor, provided an overview for HB2097. She addressed questions from the membership. (Attachment 8)
Ed Klumpp, Legislative Liaison, provided supportive testimony for HB2097 on behalf of the Kansas Sheriff’s Association. It is their understanding civil commitments are generally under contempt laws. The statute has not been amended since at least 1963 when the cost was fixed at $1.50 per day. This bill is aimed at updating that cost, which is clearly no longer realistic. They ask the membership to move this bill forward. Mr. Klumpp addressed questions from the membership. (Attachment 9)
Jay Hall, Legislative Policy Director & General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties provided supported testimony for HB2097. He stated the county jail is not a money-making enterprise, but it is fiscally irresponsible to charge an amount so low that it does not cover the cost of housing a person in the facility. Charging a rate of $1.50 is too low and means the county must absorb the additional cost within its own budget. Raising the statutory rate to the amount for maintenance of prisoners is appropriate and necessary to avoid placing an additional financial burden on the county budget. The Kansas Association of Counties supports amending K.S.A. 19-1909. Mr. Hall addressed questions from the membership. (Attachment 10)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Patton closed the hearing on HB2097.
