Recent Legislative Activity

• HB 20 (1/13/2026)

Would add "murder committed when the defendant knowingly creates a great risk of death to multiple persons" to the list of capital crimes and aggravating factors.

• Introduced January 13, 2026. Sponsored by: Matt Simpson (R).
• Referred to House Committee on Judiciary on January 13, 2026.
• Passed committee vote on January 14, 2026.

• HB 41 (1/13/2026)
• SB 17 (1/13/2026)

Would make rape, sodomy, and sexual torture of a person under age 12 a capital offense. 

• HB 41 Introduced January 13, 2026. Sponsored by: Matt Simpson (R).
• SB 17 introduced January 13, 2026. Sponsored by: April Weaver (R).
• HB 41 Referred to House Committee on Judiciary on January 13, 2026.
• HB 41 Passed committee vote on January 14, 2026.
• HB 41 Passed House on January 27, 2026. 75 votes for, 26 votes against. Legislature adopts amendment introduced by Rep. Tillman.
• HB 41 Passed House on January 27, 2026. 73 votes for, 6 votes against, 17 abstentions.
• HB 41 Passed House on January 27, 2026. 51 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 abstentions. Motion to add cosponsor.
• HB 41 Introduced January 27, 2026.
• SB 17 introduced January 13, 2026. Sponsored by: April Weaver (R).
• HB 41 Referred to Senate Committee on Judiciary on January 27, 2026.
• HB 41 Passed committee vote on February 3, 2026.
• HB 41 Passed Senate on February 5, 2026. 33 votes for, 1 votes against.
• HB 41 Signed by Kay Ivey (R) on February 12, 2026.
• HB 41 Final passage February 12, 2026. Becomes effective on October 1, 2026.

• HB 76 (1/13/2026)

Proposes a constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty and requires the legislature to pass laws to prohibit the death penalty. 

• Introduced January 13, 2026. Sponsored by: Christopher England (D).
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on January 13, 2026.

• SB 1751 (2/5/2026)

Would add firing squad as an execution method. Prisoners would be permitted to choose their execution method. This bill would not go into effect unless the people vote to amend the state's constitution via Senate Concurrent Resolution 1049.

• Introduced February 5, 2026. Sponsored by: Kevin Payne (R).
• Referred to Senate Committee of Public Safety on February 5, 2026.
• Passed committee vote on February 18, 2026. 4 votes for, 3 votes against.
• Referred to Senate Rules Committee on February 5, 2026.
• Passed committee vote on February 23, 2026. 5 votes for, 4 votes against.
• Passed committee vote on March 3, 2026. Amended by the author, and passed by the committee of the whole, to remove the requirement that prisoners who killed law enforcement officers must be executed using firing squad.

• SCR 1049 (2/5/2026)

Would modify the state's constitution to add firing squad as an execution method. Prisoners would be permitted to choose their execution method. Firing squad would be administered by three volunteer shooters and includes one blank round. This measure would be voted on by constituents in the state's next general election.

• Introduced February 5, 2026. Sponsored by: Kevin Payne (R).
• Referred to Senate Public Safety Committee and Senate Rules Committee on February 5, 2026.
• Passed committee vote on February 18, 2026. 4 votes for, 3 votes against. Passed Senate Public Safety Committee
• Passed committee vote on February 23, 2026. 5 votes for, 4 votes against. Passed Senate Rules Committee
• Passed committee vote on March 3, 2026. Amended by the author, and passed by the committee of the whole, to remove the requirement that prisoners who killed law enforcement officers must be executed using firing squad.

• AB 1071 (2/20/2025)

Modifies and adds to procedures for relief under the 2020 Racial Justice Act for individuals who have actions pending before the trial or appellate court, who are incarcerated, or post-incarceration. If racial bias is found in an individual's case, the person is ineligible for the death penalty.

• Introduced February 20, 2025. Sponsored by: Ash Kalra (D).
• Referred to Committee on Public Safety on March 10, 2025. Amended and re-referred on March 28, 2025. Re-referred on April 1, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on April 23, 2025. 7 votes for, 2 votes against.
• Passed House on May 19, 2025. 48 votes for, 16 votes against, 15 abstentions.
• Introduced May 20, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Committee on Public Safety and Appropriations on May 28, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on June 24, 2025. Amended and passed, re-referred to Committee on Appropriations
• Passed committee vote on August 29, 2025. 5 votes for, 2 votes against. Amended and passed
• Passed Senate on September 11, 2025. 25 votes for, 11 votes against, 4 abstentions.
• Passed House on September 13, 2025. 42 votes for, 21 votes against, 17 abstentions.
• Signed by Gavin Newsom (D) on October 13, 2025.
• Final passage October 13, 2025. Became effective on January 1, 2026.

• SB 734 (2/21/2025)

Any individual accused of racial bias or animus under the 2020 Racial Justice Act shall receive notice of the accusation and be given the right to representation during the hearing to question the sufficiency of the evidence against the individual.

• Introduced February 21, 2025. Sponsored by: Anna Caballero (D).
• Referred to Committee on Public Safety on March 12, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on April 1, 2025. .
• Passed committee vote on April 1, 2025. 6 votes for, 0 votes against. Passed as amended and re-referred to Committee on Appropriations.
• Committee Hearing on April 21, 2025. .
• Passed Senate on May 28, 2025. 38 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 abstentions.
• Passed Senate on May 28, 2025. 38 votes for, 0 votes against, 2 abstentions. Motion to reconsider granted
• Passed Senate on May 28, 2025. 36 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 abstentions.
• Introduced May 28, 2025.
• Referred to House Committee on Public Safety on June 5, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on June 17, 2025. 9 votes for, 0 votes against. Passed and re-referred to Committee on Appropriations
• Passed committee vote on July 2, 2025. 14 votes for, 0 votes against, 1 abstentions.
• Passed House on September 8, 2025. 76 votes for, 0 votes against, 4 abstentions. Passed with amendments
• Passed Senate on September 9, 2025. 40 votes for, 0 votes against.
• Signed by Gavin Newsom (D) on October 13, 2025.
• Final passage October 13, 2025. Became effective on January 1, 2026.

• AB 1595 (1/16/2026)

Alters certain requirements and procedures related to filing a writ of habeas corpus, motions to vacate a conviction, and subsequent assistance of a person exonerated. 

• Introduced January 16, 2026. Sponsored by: Nick Schultz (D).
• Referred to House Committee on Public Safety on February 2, 2026.

• HB 5225 (2/18/2026)

Would prohibit any manufacturer, wholesaler, pharmacist, prescribing practitioner or pharmacy from selling, dispensing, transferring, or delivering any drug or device with actual knowledge that it is intended to be used for executing a death sentence. Would also prohibit the renewal of a certificate of registration for applicants that knowingly manufactured, sold, or dispensed of any drug or device for the purpose of executing the death penalty. 

• Introduced February 18, 2026. Sponsored by: Nicholas Menapace (D). Cosponsors: Saud Anwar .
• Referred to House Joint Committee on General Law on February 18, 2026.
• Committee Hearing on February 19, 2026. .
• Passed committee vote on March 11, 2026. 13 votes for, 7 votes against, 2 abstentions. Joint Favorable Substitute

• HB 35 (12/19/2024)

The first leg of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty. 

• Introduced December 19, 2024. Sponsored by: Sean Lynn (D).
• Referred to House Administration Committee on December 19, 2024.
• Passed committee vote on March 19, 2025. 3 votes for, 0 votes against.
• HB 35 Substituted with bill: HS 1.

• HB 61 (3/6/2025)

Would create criminal and civil liabitilies for corporations or other businesses in the state that sell, distribute, or dispense a drug that is used as part of a government-sanctioned execution. If the highest-ranking officer knows that the organization is engaging in the aforementioned actions or should know that their products will be used in any capacity in relation to an execution, they would be guilty of a class A felony and subject to a civil penalty of up to $50,000. If the business is a corporation, their corporation charter will be revoked.

• Introduced March 6, 2025. Sponsored by: Sean Lynn (D). Cosponsors: Kendra Johnson (D) , Larry Lambert (D) , Sophie Phillips (D) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on March 6, 2025.

• HS 1 (6/17/2025)

The first leg of a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of the death penalty. 

• Introduced June 17, 2025. Sponsored by: Sean Lynn (D).
• Passed House on June 24, 2025. 28 votes for, 12 votes against, 1 abstentions.
• Introduced June 24, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Executive Committee on June 24, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on June 26, 2025.
• Passed Senate on June 30, 2025. 14 votes for, 7 votes against.

• HB 123 (1/27/2025)
• SB 159 (2/12/2025)

Would provide pretrial hearings for capital defendants to raise intellectual disability claims; would lower the standard of proof from "beyond a reasonable doubt" to a “preponderance of evidence," in line with other state standards.

• HB 123 Introduced January 27, 2025. Bill Werkeheiser (R), Matt Reeves (R), Deborah Silcox (R), Scott Holcomb (D), Tyler Paul Smith (R), and Stan Gunter (R)
• SB 159 introduced February 12, 2025. Cosponsors: Josh McLaurin (D) .
• HB 123 Committee Hearing on February 4, 2025. .
• HB 123 Passed committee vote on February 20, 2025.
• HB 123 Passed House on March 4, 2025. 172 votes for, 0 votes against, 3 abstentions.
• HB 123 Introduced March 6, 2025.
• SB 159 introduced February 12, 2025. Cosponsors: Josh McLaurin (D) .
• HB 123 Passed committee vote on March 27, 2025.
• HB 123 Passed Senate on March 31, 2025. 53 votes for, 1 votes against.
• HB 123 Passed House on March 31, 2025. 150 votes for, 3 votes against, 13 abstentions.
• HB 123 Signed by Brian Kemp (R) on May 13, 2025.
• HB 123 Final passage May 13, 2025. Became effective on May 13, 2025.

• HB 682 (2/28/2025)

Would prohibit the imposition of the death penalty in cases where the only evidence is the testimony of a single eyewitness

• Introduced February 28, 2025. Sponsored by: Billy Mitchell (D).

• HB 896 (1/23/2025)

Would make sex trafficking a death-eligible offense.

• Introduced January 23, 2025. Sponsored by: Elijah Pierick (R).
• Referred to House Committee on Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs on January 23, 2025.

• HB 1045 (1/9/2025)

Would reinstate the death penalty

• Introduced January 9, 2025. Sponsored by: John Cabello (R).
• Referred to House Rules Committee on January 9, 2025.

• SB 0299 (1/24/2025)

Would create the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2025, which would reinstate the death penalty in cases where victims were peace officers, first responders, Department of Corrections employees, or government officials killed in the line of duty. Would require capitally charged indigent defendants be appointed a public defender or other attorney.

• Introduced January 24, 2025. Cosponsors: Neil Anderson (R) , Dave Syverson (R) .
• Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on January 24, 2025.

• SB 1200 (1/24/2025)
• SB 2130 (2/7/2025)

Would create the Capital Crimes Litigation Act of 2025, which would reinstate the death penalty and related provisions in cases where:

• victims were
  • peace officers, firemen, first responders, correctional agency employees;
  • under the age of 12 and killed in a heinous manner;
  • a member of a congregation engaged in religious activities
• two or more persons were killed
• the murder was committed on school grounds
• the crime was committed in connection with terrorism

• SB 1200 Introduced January 24, 2025. Sponsored by: Andrew S. Chesney (R).
• SB 2130 introduced February 7, 2025. Sponsored by: Chapin Rose (R).
• SB 1200 Referred to Senate Assignments Committee on January 24, 2025.

• SF 320 (2/17/2025)

Would reinstate the death penalty for murder in the first degree of a peace officer on duty.

• Introduced February 17, 2025. Sponsored by: Dennis Guth (R).
• Referred to Senate Judiciary on February 17, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on March 3, 2025. Subcommittee recommends amendment and passage

• SB 60 (1/22/2025)
• HB 2241 (2/4/2025)

Prohibiting second and successive motions and ineffective counsel claims in habeas corpus actions and providing for direct appeal to the supreme court in habeas corpus appeals filed by inmates sentenced to death.

• SB 60 Introduced January 22, 2025. Garrett Henson on behalf of Office of the Attorney General Kris Kobach (R)
• HB 2241 introduced February 4, 2025. Judiciary Committee
• SB 60 Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on January 23, 2025.
• SB 60 Committee Hearing on February 5, 2025. .

• HB 2272 (2/5/2025)

Would prohibit the imposition of a death sentence for crimes committed after July 1, 2025 and creates the crime of aggravated murder.

• Introduced February 5, 2025. Mark Schreiber (R), Barbara Ballard (D), John Carmichael (D), Dan Osman (D), and William Sutton (R)
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 5, 2025.

• SB 245 (2/7/2025)

Would prohibit the imposition of a death sentence for crimes committed after July 1, 2025 and creates the crime of aggravated murder.

• Introduced February 7, 2025. Senator Elaine Bowers (R) on behalf of Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 10, 2025.

• LB432 (1/17/2025)

Would provide for execution by nitrogen hypoxia. 

• Introduced January 17, 2025. Sponsored by: Loren Lippincott.
• Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 22, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on January 31, 2025. . On January 23, 2025, Sen. Megan Hunt filed an amendment to require firing squad be carried out by members of the legislature.

• LR15CA (1/15/2025)

A constitutional amendment to abolish the death penalty and commute those with death sentences to a sentence of life imprisonment.

• Introduced January 15, 2025. Sponsored by: Terrell McKinney (D).
• Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 17, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on January 31, 2025. .

• LB 700 (1/22/2025)

Prohibits the death penalty and life imprisonment for individuals under the age of 22 at the time of the crime. 

• Introduced January 22, 2025. Sponsored by: Terrell McKinney (D).
• Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 24, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on March 27, 2025. .

• LB 448 (1/21/2025)

Expands grounds for post-conviction relief to include claims of actual innocence and allows the Court to excuse "any procedural default or time limitation" in order to "prevent a manifest of injustice."

• Introduced January 21, 2025. Sponsored by: George Dungan (D).
• Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 23, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on March 14, 2025. .

• A00684 (1/8/2025)

To restore the death penalty in New York State and make it an available sentence for those convicted of Murder in the First Degree for the intentional killing of police officers, specified peace officers, and first responders, the intentional killing of two or more people, the intentional killing of another person as a hate crime, and the intentional killing of another person in the furtherance of terrorism.

• Introduced January 8, 2025. Sponsored by: William Barclay (R).

• A05522 (2/14/2025)

Would provide that sentence for first degree murder of a police officer, peace officer, or correctional officer be death or life imprisonment without parole.

• Introduced February 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Alec Brook-Krasny (R). Cosponsors: Lester Chang (R) .

• A05165 (2/12/2025)

Would make certain provisions of murder in the first degree eligible for either a death sentence or life without parole.

• Introduced February 12, 2025. Sponsored by: Joe DeStefano (R).

• A08014 (4/21/2025)
• S07337 (4/10/2025)

Would reinstate the death penalty as potential punishment for killing a police officer. 

• A08014 Introduced April 21, 2025. Sponsored by: Marianne Buttenschon (D).
• S07337 introduced April 10, 2025.
• A08014 Referred to House Codes on April 21, 2025.

• A06253 (2/27/2025)

Although the state has already abolished the death penalty, this would remove any mention of it from the state's law and would also eliminate the punishment of life without parole. 

• Introduced February 27, 2025. Sponsored by: Robert Carroll (D).
• Referred to House Codes on February 27, 2025.

• SB 94 (2/13/2025)

Would repeal the death penalty and resentence all current death-sentenced prisoners to terms of life without parole.

• Introduced February 13, 2025. Sponsored by: Natalie Murdock (D).
• Referred to Senate Committee on Rules and Operations on February 17, 2025.

• HB 270 (3/3/2025)

Would make electrocution the default method of execution, with firing squad or lethal injection available as alternative choices. Prisoners must convey their selection in writing 14 days before execution date or it is considered waived.

• Introduced March 3, 2025. Cosponsors: Reece Pyrtle (R) , David Willis (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on March 5, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on April 29, 2025.
• Referred to House Committee on State and Local Government on April 29, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on May 6, 2025.
• Referred to House Committee On Rules, Calendar, and Operations on May 6, 2025.

• HB 307 (3/5/2025)

Removes the prohibition against electrocution and lethal gas and retains lethal injection as the state's method of choice; in case lethal injection is deemed unconsititional, adds provisions that allow use of an execution method approved by another state, so long as the U.S Supreme Court has not declared that method to be unconstitutional. Also modifies provisions relating to post-conviction relief and adds the crime occurring while the victim is on public transportation as an aggravating factor. 

• Introduced March 5, 2025. Sponsored by: Sarah Stevens (R). Cosponsors: William Brisson (R) , Bill Ward (R) , Donna McDowell White (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on March 6, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on April 15, 2025. Reported favorably with committee substitute
• Referred to House Committee On Rules, Calendar, and Operations on April 15, 2025.
• Passed House on April 30, 2025. 89 votes for, 21 votes against, 2 abstentions.
• Introduced May 1, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Committee On Rules and Operations on May 1, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on September 22, 2025. Reported favorably with committee substitute and unengrossed amendment
• Referred to Re-referred Senate Committee On Appropriations/Base Budget on September 22, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on September 22, 2025.
• Passed Senate on September 22, 2025. 28 votes for, 8 votes against. Passed with multiple amendments
• Passed House on September 23, 2025. 81 votes for, 31 votes against.
• Signed by Josh Stein (D) on October 3, 2025.
• Final passage October 3, 2025. Became effective on December 1, 2025.

• HB 36 (2/3/2025)

Would add nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Cosponsors: Phil Plummer (R) , Brian Stewart (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 5, 2025.

• HB 72 (2/10/2025)

Would abolish the death penalty; modify the number of jurors that may be challenged in cases where a defendant may be sentenced to life imprisonment; and prohibit public funding for and insurance coverage of the use of lethal injection drugs in nontherapeutic abortions and assisting suicide.

• Introduced February 10, 2025. Cosponsors: Jean Schmidt , Adam Matthews (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2025.
• Committee Hearing on March 5, 2025. .

• SB 133 (3/5/2025)

Would abolish the death penalty and modify the number of juror challenges in cases where a sentence of life may be imposed.

• Introduced March 5, 2025. Cosponsors: Nickie Antonio (D) , Stephen Huffman (R) .
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on March 19, 2025.

• SB 134 (3/5/2025)

Would abolish the death penalty; modify the number of juror challenges in cases where a sentence of life may be imposed; and prohibit public funding for the use of lethal injection drugs in nontherapeutic abortions and assisted suicides.

• Introduced March 5, 2025. Cosponsors: Nickie Antonio (D) , Stephen Huffman (R) .
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on March 19, 2025.

• HB 372 (6/23/2025)

Would expand aggravating circumstances to include victim(s) who are peace officers, prosecutors, first responders, or military members. 

• Introduced June 23, 2025. Cosponsors: Phil Plummer (R) , Cindy Abrams (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on September 15, 2025.

• HB 457 (9/17/2025)

Would expand aggravating circumstances to include death of an elected official or whether the motivation of the killing was "political affiliation, association, belief, or ideology."

• Introduced September 17, 2025. Cosponsors: Jack K. Daniels (R) , Josh Williams (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on October 1, 2025.

• HB 490 (10/1/2025)

Modifies grounds for post-conviction relief to include "qualifying DNA testing," such as testing requested by the prosecuting attorney, that if presented at trial would have established "actual innocence."

• Introduced October 1, 2025. Cosponsors: Jean Schmidt , Josh Williams (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on October 8, 2025.

• HB 177 (3/17/2025)

Modifes wording to include a new trial on any grounds that "affect the fairness of the defendant's trial or that demonstrate a miscarriage of justice." Grounds are expanded to include the discovery of new evidence that "would establish a strong probability of a different result at trial," and motions falling under this new section can be field anytime after a verdict is rendered.  

• Introduced March 17, 2025. Cosponsors: Josh Williams (R) , Desiree Tims (D) .
• Referred to Hous Judiciary Committee on March 19, 2025.

• HB 1307 (2/3/2025)

Shall sentence foreign-born persons, who at the time of the incident were present in the United States without valid immigration documentation or violated the terms of his or her admission to the United States, convicted of first degree murder to death.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Sponsored by: Justin Humphrey.
• Referred to House Rules Committee on February 4, 2025.

• HB 1309 (2/3/2025)

Would stay the imposition of new execution dates and vacate all currently scheduled dates; legislature would retain the authority to lift the moratorium

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Sponsored by: Justin Humphrey.
• Referred to House Rules Committee on February 4, 2025.

• HB 1693 (2/3/2025)

Modifies the process to determine mental competency for execution, including requiring the trial court to render a decision before the scheduled execution date unless the Court of Criminal Appeals issues a stay of execution.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Sponsored by: Rande Worthen (R).
• Referred to House Criminal Judiciary Committee on February 4, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on March 4, 2025. 12 votes for, 2 votes against.
• Passed House on March 12, 2025. 69 votes for, 14 votes against.
• Introduced March 13, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on April 1, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on April 22, 2025. 6 votes for, 2 votes against.
• Passed Senate on May 1, 2025. 39 votes for, 7 votes against.
• Signed by Kevin Stitt (R) on May 9, 2025.
• Final passage May 9, 2025. Became effective on November 1, 2025.

• SB 601 (2/3/2025)

Would create the Death Penalty Moratorium Act, which would prohibit the imposition of new execution dates and vacate all currently scheduled dates. Would create the Death Penalty Reform Task Force.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Sponsored by: Dave Rader (R).
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 4, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on March 4, 2025. 5 votes for, 3 votes against.

• SB 599 (2/3/2025)

Would make "any person convicted of forcible anal or oral sodomy, rape, rape by instrumentation, or lewd molestation of a child under fourteen (14) years of age" eligible for a death sentence.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Cosponsors: Warren Hamilton (R) .
• Referred to Senate Public Safety Committee on March 3, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on March 4, 2025.
• Passed Senate on March 27, 2025. 39 votes for, 5 votes against.
• Introduced March 31, 2025.
• Referred to House Judiciary and Public Safety Oversight Committee and House Criminal Judiciary Committee on April 1, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on April 17, 2025.
• Passed House on April 28, 2025. 80 votes for, 8 votes against.
• Passed Senate on May 15, 2025. 36 votes for, 6 votes against.
• Signed by Kevin Stitt (R) on May 22, 2025.
• Final passage May 22, 2025. Became effective on November 1, 2025.

• HB 1320 (2/3/2025)

Would create the Child Trafficking Protection Act of 2025, which would make human trafficking of those under age 18 a death-eligible offense.

• Introduced February 3, 2025. Sponsored by: Justin Humphrey.
• Referred to House Rules Committee on February 4, 2025.

• HB 896 (3/13/2025)

Would mandate the death penalty for an "undocumented migrant" convicted of murder in the first degree.

• Introduced March 13, 2025. Sponsored by: Eric Davanzo (R). Cosponsors: Aaron Bernstine (R) , Doyle Heffley (R) , Milou Mackenzie (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on March 13, 2025.

• HB 888 (3/17/2025)

Would eliminate the death penalty.

• Introduced March 17, 2025. Sponsored by: Russ Diamond (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on March 17, 2025.

• HB 166 (1/16/2025)

Would modify the threshold for capital juries evaluating aggravating factors against mitigating factors to beyond a reasonable doubt. "If the jury unanimously finds one or more aggravating circumstances which outweigh any mitigating circumstances beyond a reasonable doubt," then a death sentence would be imposed. 

• Introduced January 16, 2025. Sponsored by: Timothy Bonner (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on January 16, 2025.
• Passed committee vote on February 3, 2025. 25 votes for, 1 votes against.

• H 3537 (1/14/2025)

Redefines person to include "an unborn child at every stage of development from fertilization until birth," and allows all state homicide and assault provisions to apply.

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Robert Harris (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on January 14, 2025.

• S 0267 (1/28/2025)

Would allow the Attorney General or his designee to be present as execution witnesses.

• Introduced January 28, 2025. Sponsored by: Billy Garrett (R).
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28, 2025.

• S 0308 (2/4/2025)

Would allow the Attorney General or his designee to be present as execution witnesses.

• Introduced February 4, 2025. Sponsored by: Billy Garrett (R). Cosponsors: Mike Reichenbach (R) , Allen Blackmon (R) , Matthew Leber (R) , Darrell Jackson (D) .
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 4, 2025.

• H 3852 (1/30/2025)

Would allow the Attorney General or his designee to be present as execution witnesses.

• Introduced January 30, 2025. Sponsored by: Chris Wooten (R). Cosponsors: Brandon Guffey (R) , Thomas Guest, Jr. (R) , Thomas Pope (R) , Robby Robins (R) , Brian Lawson (R) .
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on January 30, 2025.

• H 4043 (2/19/2025)

The "Child Rapist Death Penalty Act" would make criminal sexual conduct of a minor a death-eligible offense, but provides that a death sentence may not be carried out until the U.S. Supreme Court case Kennedy v. Louisiana is overruled.

• Introduced February 19, 2025. Sponsored by: Jordan Pace (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 19, 2025.

• HB 0198 (1/27/2025)

Would allow members of the general assembly to be present for executions

• Introduced January 27, 2025. Sponsored by: Aftyn Behn (D).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on February 3, 2025. Assigned to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
• Failed committee vote on March 26, 2025. Failed to pass Criminal Justice Subcommittee

• SB 0491 (1/29/2025)
• HB 1022 (2/5/2025)

Would modify the lethal injection protocol to allow for the use of pharmaceutical fentanyl.

• SB 0491 Introduced January 29, 2025. Sponsored by: Janice Bowling (R).
• HB 1022 introduced February 5, 2025. Sponsored by: Lowell Russell.
• SB 0491 Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2025.

• SB 1214 (2/6/2025)

Would allow members of the general assembly to be present for executions

• Introduced February 6, 2025. Sponsored by: Charlane Oliver (D).
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on February 12, 2025.

• HR 378 (1/14/2025)

Would provide add the intentional killing of a law enforcement officer as an aggravating factor

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Vern Buchanan (R).
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on January 14, 2025.

• S 83 (1/14/2025)

Would expand aggravating factors to include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Ted Cruz.
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on January 14, 2025.

• S 34 (1/8/2025)
• HR 296 (1/9/2025)

Would require that the death penalty remain as a sentencing option for Khalid Shaikh Mohammad, Walid Muhammad Salih Mubarak Bin ‘Attash, or Mustafa Ahmed Adam al Hawsawi for actions involving the terrorist attack on September 11, 2001.

• S 34 Introduced January 8, 2025. Sponsored by: Tom Cotton (R).
• HR 296 introduced January 9, 2025. Sponsored by: Michael Lawler (R).
• S 34 Referred to Senate Armed Services Committee on January 8, 2025.

• HR 394 (1/14/2025)

Would make the possession of child pornography punishable by death or life imprisonment.

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Anna Paulina Luna (R). Cosponsors: Brandon Gill (R) , Mary Miller (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on January 14, 2025.

• HR 393 (1/14/2025)

Would make various crimes related to children death-eligible offenses, such as sex trafficking, sexual abuse, and exploitation of children.

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Anna Paulina Luna (R). Cosponsors: Mary Miller (R) , Brandon Gill (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on January 14, 2025.

• HR 2726 (4/8/2025)

Would make those convicted of sexual abuse of a victim under age 18 a death-eligible offense.

• Introduced April 8, 2025. Sponsored by: Michael Lawler (R). Cosponsors: Pete Stauber (R) , Claudia Tenney (R) , Donald Davis (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on April 8, 2025.

• S Res 25 (1/14/2025)

"A resolution condemning the commutation of the death sentence of Marvin Charles Gabrion II granted by President Biden on December 23, 2024."

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Tom Cotton (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on January 14, 2025.

• S Res 24 (1/14/2025)

"A resolution condemning the commutation of the death sentence of Anthony George Battle granted by President Biden on December 23, 2024."

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Sponsored by: Tom Cotton (R).
• Referred to House Judiciary Committee on January 14, 2025.

• S 1675 (5/8/2025)

Would expand aggravating circumstances in capital cases to include whether the defendant convicted of "killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a United States citizen" was an "illegal alien" defined as a person who "entered, or remains in the United States in violation of Federal law."

• Introduced May 8, 2025. Sponsored by: John Cornyn (R).
• Referred to Senate Judiciary Committee on May 8, 2025.

• HR 3764 (6/5/2025)

Would make the selling or distribution of fentanyl that results in death an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment. 

• Introduced June 5, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Committee on the Judiciary on June 5, 2025.
• Referred to Senate Committee on Energy and Commerce on June 5, 2025.

• HR 4697 (7/23/2025)

Would expand aggravating circumstances to include a defendant who "came to, entered, or remains in the United States in violation of Federal law" and "has been convicted of killing, attempting to kill, or conspiring to kill a United States citizen."

• Introduced July 23, 2025. Sponsored by: Morgan Luttrell (R).
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2025.

• HR 4310 (7/10/2025)

Would expand aggravating factors to include the killing of a law enforcement officer, prosecutor, judge, or first responder (such as a firefighter), and would impose limitation of habeas relief in some of these cases.

• Introduced July 10, 2025. Sponsored by: Don Bacon (R). Cosponsors: Jared Golden (D) , Michael Lawler (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on July 10, 2025.

• HR 4080 (6/23/2025)

If assault on a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or any other Federal immigration enforcement agency results in death, then the offender would be subject to life imprisonment or the death penalty. 

• Introduced June 23, 2025. Sponsored by: Pat Harrigan (R).
• Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary on June 23, 2025.

• S 960 (3/11/2025)

Would only allow the state to seek the death penalty if the victim dies not more than 1 year and 1 day after the incident occurred. 

• Introduced March 11, 2025. Sponsored by: Chuck Grassley (R). Cosponsors: Jon Ossoff (D) , Mike Lee (D) .
• Failed Senate on March 11, 2025. Passed without amendment by unanimous consent
• Introduced March 14, 2025.

• SB 5267 (1/14/2025)

Would allow incarcerated persons who are charged with aggravated first degree murder that occurred while incarcerated to be capitally charged if authorized by a death penalty review panel.

• Introduced January 14, 2025. Cosponsors: Keith Wagoner (R) , Phil Fortunato (R) .
• Referred to Senate Law & Justice Committee on January 14, 2025.

• SB 11 (12/8/2025)

Would allow the firing squad to be used if 1) lethal injection drugs are unavailable or 2) if the prisoner requests this method. 

• Introduced December 8, 2025. Sponsored by: Michael Young (R). Cosponsors: Chris Garten (R) , James Tomes (R) , Gary Byrne (R) .
• Referred to Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on December 8, 2025.

• HB 1432 (1/8/2026)

Would establish a pretrial procedure to determine whether a defendant in a capital case has an intellectual disability. After written evaluations by two or three independent, court-appointed experts, have been delivered to the courts, the defendant has 30 days to file a petition. If the defendant elects not to file a petition, then all evaluations and subsequent evidence are privileged and inadmissible by either party at trial. 

• Introduced January 8, 2026. Sponsored by: Garrett Bascom (R). Cosponsors: Alex Zimmerman (R) , Robb Greene (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on January 8, 2026.
• Passed committee vote on January 20, 2026. 13 votes for, 0 votes against.
• Passed House on January 28, 2026. 96 votes for, 0 votes against.
• Introduced January 28, 2026. Sponsored by: Aaron Freeman (R).
• Referred to Senate Committee on Corrections and Criminal Law on February 2, 2026.

• HB 1287 (1/6/2026)

Would require the execution team be comprised on volunteers from the general assembly and would make public record the names of those who volunteer and ultimately serve on an execution team. 

• Introduced January 6, 2026. Sponsored by: Robert Morris (R). Cosponsors: Chris Judy (R) , Mark Genda (R) .
• Referred to House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code on January 6, 2026.

• HB 1119 (1/5/2026)

Would add firing squad as an execution method. Committee amended to remove the opportunity for prisoners to choose a method, and allows the Department of Corrections to decide on execution method regardless of whether lethal injection drugs are available. Legislature voted to amend bill to require 1 media witness be present at executions and the state provide, remove nitrogen hypoxia, and provide state-paid mental health services for members of the execution team.

• Introduced January 5, 2026. Sponsored by: Jim Lucas (R). Cosponsors: J.D. Prescott (R) , Stephen Bartels (R) , Andrew Ireland (R) .
• Passed committee vote on January 22, 2026. 8 votes for, 5 votes against. Allows the Department of Corrections to decide on execution method regardless of the availability of lethal injection drugs and removes the opportunity for prisoners to choose a method. Also defines what it means to "participate in or be in attendance at an execution.”
• Failed House on January 27, 2026. Amendment 1 introduced by Rep. Alex Zimmerman passed with a voice vote.
• Passed House on January 27, 2026. 58 votes for, 32 votes against. Amendment 2 introduced by Rep. Alex Zimmerman was voted on by a portion of the House.
• Failed House on January 27, 2026. Amendment 4 introduced by Rep. Matt Pierce failed a voice vote.
• Passed House on January 27, 2026. 87 votes for, 6 votes against. Amendment 6 introduced by Rep. Garcia Wilburn passed.
• Failed House on January 27, 2026. Amendment 9 introduced by Rep. Robert Morris failed a voice vote.
• Passed House on January 28, 2026. 48 votes for, 47 votes against, 2 abstentions. 3 legislators were absent.

• ACR14 (1/9/2024)
• SCR68 (1/9/2024)

Proposes constitutional amendment to restore the death penalty under certain circumstances. 

• ACR14 Introduced January 9, 2024. Sponsored by: Dawn Fantasia (R). Cosponsors: Michael Inganamort (R) .
• SCR68 introduced January 9, 2024. Sponsored by: Parker Space (R).
• ACR14 Referred to House Judiciary on January 9, 2024.

• A1260 (1/9/2024)

Would restore the death penalty for certain murders. 

• Introduced January 9, 2024. Sponsored by: Alex Sauickie (R).
• Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2025.