SESSION OF 2019
SUPPLEMENTAL NOTE ON SENATE BILL NO. 134
As Amended by Senate Committee on Judiciary

Brief*
SB 134, as amended, would amend the crime of
counterfeiting currency to:
● Add the term “currency” to the first (making,
forging, or altering) and second (distributing or
possessing with the intent to distribute) means of
committing the crime;
● Add the term “note” to the second means;
● Add the term “computer” and replace the phrase
“produce any counterfeit” with “make, forge, or alter
any” in the third means (possessing certain items
with the intent to counterfeit);
● Remove the “intent to defraud” element currently
applicable to all three means of committing the
crime, add this intent to the first means, and add
knowledge of this intent to the second means; and
● Remove the term “seized” and add the terms
“notes” and “currency” to the penalty provisions.
Background
The bill was introduced by the Senate Committee on
Judiciary at the request of Senator Wilborn on behalf of
Senator Berger. In the Senate Committee hearing, Senator
____________________
*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.kslegislature.org
Berger testified in support of the bill. The Reno County deputy
district attorney and a representative of the League of Kansas
Municipalities submitted written-only proponent testimony.
The proponents stated the bill would clarify the crime of
counterfeiting, which was created by 2018 legislation.
The Senate Committee adopted an amendment to
further clarify terms and the required intent and provide
consistency.
According to the fiscal note prepared by the Division of
the Budget on the bill, as introduced, the Office of Judicial
Administration indicates enactment of the bill would have a
negligible fiscal effect on Judicial Branch operations. The
Kansas Sentencing Commission indicates enactment of the
bill could affect prison admissions, but the Commission
cannot estimate an effect. Any fiscal effect associated with
enactment of the bill is not reflected in The FY 2020
Governor’s Budget Report.


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Statutes affected:
As introduced: 21-5840
As Amended by Senate Committee: 21-5840