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Small Movement To Retain And Hire Kansas Troopers, KBI Agents

Sam Zeff
/
KCUR

There's no doubt statewide law enforcement agencies in Kansas are hurting. But there is some movement in the state Legislature, albeit modest, to help both agencies.

The Kansas Senate on Tuesday approved two new vehicle registration surcharges that will help bolster the budgets of the Highway Patrol and Law Enforcement Train Center in Hutchinson.

The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) is 80 troopers below strength even after graduating a new class in December. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) is short 20 agents and says it has been turning down 20 percent of felony cases referred by local sheriffs and police departments.

The Senate bill would tack on an extra $3.25 to the registration fee for all vehicles. The bill would send $2 to the KHP and $1.25 to the training center. In all, the bill could generate $3.4 million a year.

"We appreciate the Senate passing SB 335," KHP Superintendent Col. Mark Bruce says in a statement. "In doing so, it is clear that their primary motivation and concern was to enhance the safety and security of Kansans."

Credit Sam Zeff / KCUR
/
KCUR
The Kansas Highway Patrol academy in Salina. The state Senate has approved a bill hiking vehicle registration fees to hire more troopers.

Just as important, the bill makes clear the additional funds should not be swept up to help ease any future budget shortfall and used to hire troopers. "The funds shall be used for the purposes set forth in this section and for no other governmental purposes. It is the intent of the Legislature that the funds and the moneys deposited in this fund shall remain intact and inviolate for the purposes set forth in this section," the bill reads.

The bill passed 24-14. Many who voted no say they did not want to burden motorists with another fee and say any additional money for the KHP should come out of state general funds.

The legislation now moves into the state House.

Also on Tuesday, a bill was filed to try and hold onto KBI agents.

The proposal doesn't boost pay for agents or technicians but does make their retirement a little more attractive.

It allows an agent to pick a retirement date but keep working. The retirement contributions made by the employee and the state between those two times could be withdrawn in a lump sum and reinvested outside of the state retirement system.

That bill has been sent to the House Committee on Pensions Benefits but it's unclear whether it will get a hearing.

"We'd like to give the (KBI) director the tools he needs to maintain a force of agents that can respond to the needs of law enforcement agencies across the state," state Rep. J.R. Claeys from Salina says in an email.

Earlier in the session lawmakers authorized the KBI to use money not spent last fiscal year for pay raises this year. Claeys, who wrote the retirement bill, says the KBI has about $700,000 in excess funds. Still, the Legislature has not put any new money into KBI salaries.

Sam Zeff covers education for KCUR. He's also co-host of KCUR's political podcastStatehouseBlend. Follow him on Twitter @samzeff.

You deserve to know what your taxpayer dollars are paying for and what public officials are doing on your behalf – I’ll work to report on irresponsible government spending in the Kansas City area and shed light on controversies that slow government down. And when you hear my voice in the morning, you know you’re getting everything you need to start your day. Email me at sam@kcur.org, find me on Twitter @samzeff or call me at 816-235-5004.
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