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Minutes for SB398 - Committee on Judiciary
Short Title
Requiring a proponent to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that certain specialized knowledge will help the trier of fact to understand evidence before certain qualified witnesses may testify.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 5, 2026
Chairwoman Warren reconvened the committee at 3:00 p.m. in conference room 144-S
Chairwoman Warren opened the hearing on SB398.
Natalie Scott, Revisor's Office, provided an overview of the bill and stood for questions. (Attachment 20)
Eric Stafford, Vice President of Government Affair, Kansas Chamber, provided testimony in support of the bill. He states SB398 modifies Kansas statute to reflect recent changes under Federal Rule of Evidence 702. In December 2023, several clarifying amendments were made to FRE 702, to reinforce the trial judge's "gatekeeping role" and to prevent misapplication of the rule. They believe this bill is a simple cleanup.
Proponent stood for questions and discussion.
Proponents, written only testimony was submitted by the following:
Dan Murray, Kansas State Director, National Federation of Independent Business (Attachment 21)
Tyler Heffron on behalf of Kansas Association of Defense Counsel (Attachment 22)
Peter Conley, Deputy Capital Defender, Board of Indigents' Defense Services' (Attachment 23)
Marlee Carpenter, Kansas Association of Property and Casualty Insurance Companies (Attachment 24)
Katrina Abraham, on behalf of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 25)
- Pamela Bracher on behalf of The Kansas Motor Carriers Association and the American Trucking Association (Attachment 26)
Opponent, written only testimony was submitted by the following:
Travis R. Oller, DC, Executive Director, Kansas Chiropractic Association (Attachment 27)
No further conferees.
Chairwoman Warren closed the hearing on SB398.
Meeting adjourned 3:15 p.m.
