TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Penalties for marijuana possession may be softened in Kansas as legislators seek to lower prison populations and reduce costs.

The House Corrections and Juvenile Justice Committee heard testimony from supporters of a bill on Wednesday that would drop first- and second-time marijuana possession offenses below the felony level. That would make offenders less likely to see prison time, and the Kansas Sentencing Commission’s director said the move would save the state about $800,000 a year.

Republican Rep. Tom Moxley of Council Grove said he supported the move because growing evidence suggests longer prison terms do not rehabilitate nonviolent offenders and only strain state resources.

Kansas’ prison population is growing and is expected to exceed capacity by the end of 2015.

No one spoke against the bill in the hearing.