Committee on Judiciary hears bill to make cattle and farm‑implement theft a felony

Madam Chair opened a hearing on House Bill 2413, which would make theft of certain livestock and implements of husbandry a severity level 5 nonperson felony and expand criminal forfeiture to property used in those crimes. Jason Thompson of the Reviser’s office told the committee the bill adds livestock (defined for this bill as cattle and horses only) and implements of husbandry into the theft statute and amends the criminal forfeiture code; he emphasized this is criminal forfeiture, not civil, and said the bill would take effect July 1 if adopted.

Proponents — including Representative Dr. Megan Steele, Representative Kevin Swartzweger, Dr. Matthew Steele of the Kansas Cattlemen’s Association, Jackie Garagiola of the Kansas Livestock Association and small producers — told the committee they support HB 2413 as a targeted response to recurring cattle and equipment thefts in rural counties. Representative Dr. Megan Steele said, "This is an important and necessary step to address the growing problem of cattle and agricultural equipment theft here in Kansas." Dr. Matthew Steele described repeated BOLOs and cross‑border trafficking and said, "It's easier to steal them in Kansas and get rid of them in Oklahoma," arguing Kansas penalties lag neighboring states.

Members asked technical questions about how criminal forfeiture differs from civil forfeiture and about prosecutorial discretion. Thompson explained criminal forfeiture is handled under chapter 22 as part of the criminal case and carries a beyond‑a‑reasonable‑doubt burden, whereas civil forfeiture uses a lower burden of proof. Committee members also asked whether the change would deter theft; proponents said stronger, clearer statutory language and an available felony charge would give local prosecutors and judges more tools and incentives to pursue and sentence offenders.

The bill limits "livestock" for the purpose of this statute to cattle and horses, prompting questions about horse breeding and racing operations; proponents confirmed horses were included intentionally. Committee members raised concerns about parity with urban theft and whether small producers' equipment values typically meet felony thresholds; proponents and small producers said commonly used tractors and trailers for small producers often fall below high dollar thresholds, making the categorical approach important to capture harms that value‑based tiers can miss.

The committee did not vote on HB 2413 during the hearing. Madam Chair closed the hearing and moved on to a separate grain theft bill.