Brief(1)
S.B. 587 reduces the size of the Kansas Parole Board from four to three members effective January 15, 1999; requires that new members have a baccalaureate or higher degree from a college or university; authorizes the Governor to appoint a temporary pro tem member of the Parole Board upon application of the Board Chairperson; authorizes the use of two-member hearing panels; requires a majority vote of all members or both members of a two-member panel for the granting of parole to offenders sentenced for class A or B felonies and for off grid crimes; authorizes Department of Corrections employees to conduct postrelease supervision hearings for review by Parole Board panels; and authorizes an offender under a determinate sentence to waive the right to a final revocation hearing under conditions prescribed by rules and regulations of the Parole Board. The bill is effective upon publication in the Kansas Register.
Background
The bill was requested by the Kansas Parole Board in an effort to adjust the size of the Board to reflect the reduced workload due to sentencing guidelines and to enable the Board to continue to operate effectively.
The bill would require additional general fund expenditures of $7,800 in FY 1999 above the Governor's budget recommendations according to the fiscal note.
1. *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 http://www.ink.org/public/legislative/fulltext-bill.html.