MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

House Bill No. 2583

An Act concerning crimes, punishment and criminal procedure; relating to crimes against the public morals; increasing the criminal penalty for harming or killing certain dogs and horses; requiring restitution for such crime to include veterinary medical treatment, funeral and burial expenses and replacement of such animal; amending K.S.A. 21-6416 and 21-6604 and repealing the existing sections.

Message to the Legislature of the State of Kansas:

The death of any law enforcement animal is a tragedy. There is no question we should hold those responsible accountable for their actions. While the intention of this bill is commendable, this legislation needs further evaluation and study. First, House Bill 2583 imposes mandatory minimum sentences that disregard important factors that should be left to the discretion of a judge through the regular sentencing process. Second, the mandatory sentences are out of line with other, more severe crimes without justification for why that is required. Third, while the requirement for a psychological evaluation and anger management program are important, we do not apply this same standard to many other heinous crimes.

Therefore, under Article 2, Section 14(a) of the Constitution, I hereby veto House Bill 2583.

Laura Kelly, Governor

Dated April 19, 2024.