SESSION OF 2025
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON HOUSE BILL NO. 2347
As Amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary
Brief*
HB 2347, as amended, would amend the required
culpability of a person obtaining control over stolen property
or services and would make the theft of certain motor
vehicles a felony.
The bill would change the required culpability of a
person obtaining control over stolen property or services
contained within the theft statute from “knowing” such
property or services were stolen from another to a
requirement the person “has reason to know” such property
or services were stolen from another.
The bill would also make theft of a motor vehicle that is
valued between $500 and $1,500 a severity level 10
nonperson felony.
Background
The bill was introduced by the House Committee on
Judiciary at the request of a representative of the Wichita
Police Department.
House Committee on Judiciary
In the House Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a representative of the Wichita Police
Department and a representative of the Kansas Association
____________________
*Supplemental notes are prepared by the Legislative Research
Department and do not express legislative intent. The supplemental
note and fiscal note for this bill may be accessed on the Internet at
https://klrd.gov/ of Chiefs of Police, Kansas Peace Officers Association, and
Kansas Sheriffs Association. The proponents generally stated
the bill would allow prosecutors to prosecute theft by
possession as intended, and increasing the penalty on low-
value motor vehicle theft is commensurate with the harm
done to the victim.
No other testimony was provided.
The Committee amended the bill by removing the
criminal penalty increase for theft of a motor vehicle with a
value less than $1,500.
Senate Committee on Judiciary
In the Senate Committee hearing, proponent testimony
was provided by a representative of the Wichita Police
Department, a representative of the Kansas Association of
Chiefs of Police, Kansas Peace Officers Association, and
Kansas Sheriffs Association, and a private citizen. The first
two proponents generally expressed the same sentiments as
in the House Committee hearing. The private citizen voiced
support for stronger initial penalties for all types of criminal
activity.
Written-only proponent testimony was provided by a
representative of the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
No other testimony was provided.
The Senate Committee amended the bill to reinsert a
modified version of the felony penalty for motor vehicle theft
that was removed by the House Committee.
Fiscal Information
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Sentencing
2- 2347 Commission indicates enactment of the bill has the potential
to increase prison admissions and the number of prison beds
needed; however, a precise estimate of this effect cannot be
determined. The Department of Corrections indicates
enactment of the bill could increase agency operating
expenditures by a negligible amount that could be
accommodated within existing resources.
The Judicial Branch indicates that enactment of the bill
would have a negligible fiscal effect on its operations. Any
fiscal effect associated with the bill is not reflected in The FY
2026 Governor’s Budget Report.
The Kansas Association of Counties and the League of
Kansas Municipalities indicate the bill has the potential to
increase local government expenditures on enforcement and
legal proceedings; however, a precise estimate of this effect
cannot be determined.
Theft; culpability; stolen property or services
3- 2347