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Minutes for HB2193 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Prohibiting an application fee for drivers' license reinstatements, removing additional suspension period when convicted of driving while suspended and limiting reinstatement fee to one per case.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 11, 2021
Staff briefed the Committee on the bill contents and answered questions.(Attachment 1)
Chairman Proehl called for Representative Finney who was not in attendance so her testimony was deemed written testimony. (Attachment 2)
The Chairman recognized Senator Faust-Goudeau as the next proponent. (Attachment 3) Senator Faust-Goudeau provided background information on the origin of this bill, the problems causing a need for the bill and what she believes the outcome could be.
Chairman Proehl recognized Dr. Walt Chappell. (Attachment 4) According to Dr. Chappell over 140,000 Kansans have had their driver's license suspended because they did not have enough money to pay their original traffic fine and court courts within the 30 days required by State statute. He said this bill with proposed amendments will ensure these Kansans can once again drive legally.
The next proponent was Faith Martin. (Attachment 5) She said if this bill was passed court resources would be saved, fewer warrants would be issued, drivers could afford to pay their original fines and court cost, thousands of court cases are cleared, Kansas is in Constitutional compliance and millions of dollars are received back into the courts.
The Chairman recognized Marilyn Harp. (Attachment 6) Ms. Harp said a significant burden on low income clients is traffic fines. She said because the law sets a standard fine, without regard to the income of the person being fined, the impact is much greater on a low income person.
The next proponent was Wendi Stark. (Attachment 7) According to Ms Stark this bill with amendments would lessen the burden of reinstatement fees on individuals seeking to get their driver's license back. She said the levying of reinstatement fees for each charge has been found to perpetrate a cycle of violations rather than increase compliance.
The Chairman recognized Ed Klumpp. (Attachment 8) He said before addressing the bill contents, it is important to explain that the suspension action for failure to pay or failure to appear is an important tool to hold traffic offenders accountable for their offenses. He said without this tool their only method to hold offenders accountable is through a collection process which can result in a damaged credit history that will affect them for years. He said the provision to allow or suspended drivers to operate a vehicle in limited circumstances through a restricted driver's license status is a good provision in existing law.
The next proponent was Caroline Grootes. (Attachment 9) Ms. Grootes said HB2193 offers meaningful improvements to reinstating driver's licenses for community members who are seeking opportunities to survive and thrive in Kansas communities. She said the impact of this legislation on the length of suspension periods and the fees associated with reinstatement of driver's licenses represents a significant step toward their community goals relating to reducing poverty and supporting vulnerable populations.
Written testimony in support of HB2193:
Danielle Johnson (Attachment 10)
Jeanette Bottler, Deputy Director, the Justice Action Network (Attachment 11)
John Jenks, KC Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 12)
Mallory Lutz, Little Government Relation (Attachment 13)
LaWanda DeShazer, Wichita, KS (Attachment 14)
Bonita Gooch, President, KS Black Leadership Council (Attachment 15)
Jim Howell, Sedgwick County Commissioner (Attachment 16)
Sheila Officer (Attachment 17)
Neutral testimony
The first Neutral testimony was by Shawn Jurgensen. (Attachment 18) According to Mr. Jurgensen this bill would alter the method by which the drivers' license reinstatement fee is assessed against those drivers who fail to comply with a traffic citation. He said the Judicial Branch anticipates that this bill would reduce the total number of reinstatement fees that are assessed and significantly impact their budget.
The next Neutral testimony was submitted by Mike Fonkert. (Attachment 19) Mr. Fonkert said that research showed that nearly 75 percent of suspended drivers continue to drive, because they have no choice if they want to provide for their families. He said while this bill does propose important steps it does not solve the state' driver's license suspension problem.
Opposition testimony
Written testimony in opposition was submitted by Chief Judge Merlin G. Wheeler. (Attachment 20)
The Chairman asked if there were any other proponents, neutrals or opponents who wished to speak. There were none so Chairman Proehl closed the hearing on HB2193 and called for Final Action on HB2015.
