Kansas license suspension reforms stumble in Legislature

Kansas Supreme Court staff stepped in this spring to oppose legislation meant to address issues surrounding drivers license suspensions for unpaid traffic fines.

Some measures passed and became law, but other efforts to eliminate some fees and to replace some fines with community service stalled after a court official told lawmakers that collecting fewer dollars through reinstatement fees would threaten the courts’ ability to remain open and pay employees.

Some advocates say that the court system is overly reliant on impoverished and minority populations for funding. It's part of a national conversation in which activists say fines and penalties for not paying them criminalize poverty.