Committee approves tougher penalties for impersonating officers, moves bill to Ways and Means

Representatives Cleaver and Bonner presented House File 34‑04, a bipartisan bill that elevates penalties for impersonating law enforcement, prohibits the display of equipment and markings that reasonably suggest a vehicle is a law‑enforcement vehicle, and clarifies identification requirements for officers responding to citizens.

The authors described the bill as aimed at restoring public trust after incidents where individuals impersonated officers. Representative Bonner said the proposal adds felony penalties in repeat cases and increases penalties when the impersonation involves a firearm. The A3 amendment was adopted to place the bill in the form the sponsors preferred and to specify effective dates.

Committee members from both parties praised the measure as practical and rooted in public‑safety concerns. "This bill is a first step in affirming that these high standards are put in place to restore public trust," one sponsor said. Members asked technical questions about effective dates and coordination with sentencing guidelines; nonpartisan staff noted an Aug. 1 effective date often aligns with Sentencing Guidelines Commission timing.

The committee adopted the author's amendment and recommended HF34‑04 to the Ways and Means Committee by voice vote. Sponsors said the measure is forward‑looking and will apply to crimes committed on or after the effective date in the bill.