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Minutes for HCR5022 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Proposing a constitutional amendment requiring that a sheriff be elected in each county; exception.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 14, 2022
Chairperson Warren opened the hearing on HCR5022.
Jason Thompson, Senior Assistant Revisor, provided an overview of the bill and responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 1)
Greg Smith testified in support of HCR5022, providing a brief history of the subject of sheriffs as elected officials, current nationwide statistics, and reasons for requesting the Office of Sheriff remain an elected official. (Attachment 2)
Sheriff Jeffrey T. Easter testified in support of HCR5022, stating the bill preserves the Office of Sheriff consistently throughout the state; allows the Office of Sheriff to be required by the Constitution; and assures an appropriate ouster process for the Office of Sheriff.
Passing the bill does not: change the process; make the Office of Sheriff a state office; change any of the duties of the sheriff, nor does it place those duties into the Constitution; shift any liability to the state; or change the legal process of officers except those who can file the action. (Attachment 3)
Written only testimony in support of of HCR5022 was submitted by Derek Schmidt, Kansas Attorney General. (Attachment 4)
Questions from Committee members were addressed.
Captain Josh Kyle testified on behalf of Kurt Moldrup, Interium Director, with a neutral position on HCR5022, requesting the language in lines 19-21, page 1, be preserved to ensure the Riley County Police Department can continue with its consolidated law enforcement agency. (Attachment 5) Captain Kyle responded to questions from Committee members.
No opponent testimony was submitted.
The revisor responded to questions from Committee members.
Chairperson Warren closed the hearing on HCR5022.
