Kansas committee hears bill to allow some convicted felons to hold liquor licenses

TOPEKA — The Senate Federal and State Affairs Committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 261 on Monday, a proposal to allow some convicted felons to hold certain alcoholic beverage licenses under defined conditions.

Jason, a staff presenter for the committee, told members that SB 261 would add a new subsection to KSA 41-3-11 to permit a retail license to be issued to a convicted felon if the conviction was for a nonviolent felony, at least 10 years had elapsed since the sentence was satisfied or the person was released from supervision, and the director determined the applicant was "sufficiently rehabilitated to warrant the public trust." Jason said similar language would apply to drinking-establishment and caterer licenses but that "all other licenses that may be issued by the director would be subject to the same prohibition against convicted felons." (SEG 134–163)

Proponents described individual stories and organizational impacts. "If they're fully rehabilitated, if they've done their time ... do they actually deserve a second…