Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas House Bill HB2632

Introduced

1/30/24

Refer

1/30/24

Report Pass

2/7/24

Engrossed

2/14/24

Refer

2/15/24

Report Pass

3/20/24

Enrolled

4/2/24

Passed

4/4/24

Caption

Expanding membership of the law enforcement memorial advisory committee to include a representative of the Kansas chapter of concerns of police survivors to be appointed by the governor.

Impact

By amending K.S.A. 75-2251, HB2632 will formally obligate the advisory committee to consider the unique experiences and perspectives of police survivors in its recommendations and activities. The bill may also potentially lead to increased community engagement and support for initiatives that honor and recognize the sacrifices made by law enforcement personnel. The committee will retain its advisory role towards the director of architectural services and the state historical society, helping to guide the memorialization efforts effectively.

Summary

House Bill 2632 aims to expand the membership of the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Advisory Committee in Kansas. The bill proposes the addition of a representative from the Kansas chapter of 'Concerns of Police Survivors', who is to be appointed by the governor. This change is significant as it broadens the diversity of the advisory committee's representation, ensuring that voices of police survivors are included in the discussions surrounding memorials and commemorations for fallen law enforcement officers. The bill seeks to address the evolving needs of this community and enhance the committee's effectiveness in its advisory role.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB2632 is largely positive, with the bill receiving unanimous support during the Senate voting process. Legislators emphasize the importance of recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of law enforcement officers, and this expansion of the committee's membership reflects a commitment to inclusivity. Law enforcement organizations and advocacy groups for police survivors have expressed approval for the bill, which is seen as an important step towards honoring those who have served and protecting the interests of their families.

Contention

While the bill has garnered broad support, some discussions indicate apprehensions regarding the effective integration of the new member's voice within the existing committee structure. There are discussions around ensuring that the inclusion of this representative leads to meaningful changes rather than simply adding another layer of bureaucracy. Nevertheless, the bill's passage reflects a consensus on the need to enhance the committee’s representation and ensure that the experiences of police survivors are acknowledged in Kansas’ public safety memorials.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2372

KS SB199

Designating the existing fallen firefighters memorial within the Kansas firefighters museum in Wichita as the official fallen firefighters memorial of the state of Kansas and replacing the Kansas firefighters memorial advisory committee with the Kansas firefighter memorial council; defining the fireworks sales season for seasonal retailers of consumer fireworks, providing for year-round sales by permanent retailers of consumer fireworks, requiring permanent retailers to register with the state fire marshal.

KS SB348

Requiring that the appointment of the executive director of the Kansas children's cabinet be confirmed by the senate.

KS HB2196

Providing membership affiliation in the Kansas police and firemen's retirement system for certain law enforcement officers and employees of the Kansas department of wildlife and parks, expanding deferred retirement option program (DROP) membership to all Kansas police and firemen's retirement system members and extending the expiration date on DROP.

KS SB467

Increasing the membership appointed by the governor on the council on travel and tourism and updating the house committee assignment required for house members from the committee on agriculture and natural resources to the committee on commerce, labor and economic development;reducing the required allocation of funds from the department of commerce's matching grant program for the promotion of tourism by public and nonprofit entities and removing the restriction on the percentage of such funds granted to a single entity.

KS HB2611

Increasing the membership appointed by the governor on the council on travel and tourism and updating the house committee assignment required for house members from the committee on agriculture and natural resources to the committee on commerce, labor and economic development; reducing the required allocation of funds from the department of commerce's matching grant program for the promotion of tourism by public and nonprofit entities and removing the restriction on the percentage of such funds granted to a single entity.

KS HB2022

Providing for the appointment of the superintendent of the Kansas highway patrol by the attorney general, not the governor; transferring the duties of governor relating to the Kansas highway patrol to the attorney general; granting jurisdiction of the Kansas highway patrol to the attorney general, a division to be known as the Kansas highway patrol.

KS SB279

Granting law enforcement officials access to the prescription monitoring program database without a warrant and replacing the member of the program advisory committee representing the Kansas bureau of investigation with the attorney general or the attorney general's designee.

KS A1876

Expands Police Training Commission membership to include legislative appointees.

KS SB423

Reducing the number of appointed board members on certain insurance-related governing boards and the frequency of meetings of the the committee on surety bonds and insurance.