Chairwoman opened the hearing on SB463.
Natalie Scott, Revisor's Office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 9)
O.H. Skinner, Executive Director, Alliance for Consumers Action Fund, provided testimony in support of the bill. He stated by enacting SB463, Kansas can make clear that public policy is decided by laws, not lawsuits, and that consumers should be prioritized, not criminals and wrongdoers. (Attachment 10)
Proponent, written only testimony was submitted by:
- Ronda Hubbard, Private Citizen (testimony arrived during the hearing, placed in the committee member folders)
David Morantz, on behalf of Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, spoke in opposition to this bill. He asks, if those that cause harm no longer are held financially accountable for the injuries they cause, who pays? When no one is accountable, no one is safe. (Attachment 11)
Richard Budden for Matthew Birch, Shamberg, Johnson & Bergman, provided testimony opposing this bill. He states this bill is unnecessary because of Kansas' law on contributory and comparative negligence. (Attachment 12)
Opponents, written only testimony was submitted by the following:
Phillip Slape, Slape & Howard (Attachment 13)
Logan DeMond, Director of Policy and Research, ACLU of Kansas (Attachment 14)
Tess Sanford Ramirez. Co-Director of Protecting KS Children from Sexual Predators (Attachment 15)
The conferees stood for questions and discussion.
Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on SB463