---
title: '2017 Legislation'
description: 'State Description Status Alabama 1. HB32 would prohibit the court from overriding a jury’s verdict in a death penalty case and require a unanimous jury…'
canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/data/recent-legislative-activity/legislation-by-year/2017-legislation'
section: topics
date: '2017-12-01T00:00:00-05:00'
updated: '2025-03-14T14:56:39-04:00'
source: 'Death Penalty Information Center'
---

| State | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| **Alabama\*** | 1\. **[HB32](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=HB32&WIN_TYPE=BillResult)** would **prohibit the court from overriding a jury's verdict in a death penalty case and require a unanimous jury vote for death** to recommend a death sentence. A penalty mistrial would be declared if between 6 and 11 jurors voted for death, and the parties could elect to have the judge impose sentence or have a new sentencing jury empaneled.  2\. **[SB16](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB16&WIN_TYPE=BillResult)** and **[SB18](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/SB16-int.pdf) would prohibit the court from overriding a jury's verdict** in a capital case. SB16 would require the court to impose a life sentence if a majority of the jurors voted for life and would require the court to impose a death sentence if 10 or more jurors voted for death. A penalty mistrial would be declared if between 6 and 9 jurors voted for death, and the parties could elect to have the judge impose sentence or have a new sentencing jury empaneled.  3\. **[SB12](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.aspx?BILL=SB12&WIN_TYPE=BillResult)** would permit capital defendants to elect to be executed by **firing squad**. The election would have to be made at the time the death sentence is affirmed by the Alabama Supreme Court. A substitute to the bill replaced execution by firing squad with **execution by nitrogen hypoxia**.  4\. [**SB 187**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/SB187-int.pdf) and [**HB 260**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/HB260-int.pdf) would set **new time limits** for filing post-conviction death-penalty **appeals**, require defendants to file direct appeal and post-conviction appeal simultaneously, require the trial court judge to appoint appellate counsel within a specified time, and prevent death-row prisoners from requesting relief outside of the time frame indicated.  5\. [**SB48**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB48&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **set procedures for determining intellectual disability** in capital cases  6\. [**SB49**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB49&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **statutorily prohibit imposing the death penalty on a defendant under age 18** at the time of the offense. (Would bring Alabama law in line with U.S. Supreme Court decision in *Roper v. Simmons*(2005).)  7\. [**SB50**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB50&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would impose a three-year **moratorium on executions**.  8\. [**SB51**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB51&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **repeal the death penalty**.  9\. [**SB211**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/alison/SESSBillStatus.aspx) would provide **compensation to death-row exoneree Anthony Ray Hinton**. | 1\. The unanimity bill has been **prefiled** and was referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on February 7. The Committee rejected an amendment that would have permitted the judge to impose a death sentence following a 10-2 jury vote for death. The bill **passed** the Committee by a vote of 10-2 on February 16.  2\. The jury override bills have been **prefiled** and were referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**. The Committee considered and **approved** **SB16** by a vote of 5-3 on February 8. The bill [**PASSED the full Senate**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/SB16-eng.pdf) by a vote of 30-1 on February 23.  The bill was **approved** by the House Judiciary Committee on March 9.  The bill **PASSED** the full House by a vote of 78-19 on April 4. The bill was **SIGNED INTO LAW** by Governor Kay Ivey on April 11.  3\. The firing squad bill has been **prefiled** and was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 7. The Committee offered a **substitute** for the bill, replacing firing squad with nitrogen hypoxia, and **approved the substitute** by a vote of 6-3 on April 6. The bill **PASSED** the full Senate by a vote of [25-8](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/GetRollCallVoteResults.aspx?MOID=569547&VOTE=635&BODY=S&INST=SB12&SESS=1068&AMDSUB=) on April 18 and was sent to the House.  The bill was referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**. On May 3, the Committee [amended](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/ALISON/SearchableInstruments/2017RS/PrintFiles/186162-3.pdf) the bill to say that a prisoner's choice of execution method "shall at no time supersede the means of execution available to the Department of Corrections." As amended, the bill was **favorably reported** by the Committee without debate.  4\. SB 187 **PASSED** the Senate 28-5 on April 18. HB 260 was referred to the **House Committee on Judiciary** on February 16. It **passed** the Judiciary Committee on May 9, 2017, but the House considered SB 187 instead and **indefinitely postponed** HB260 on May 17.  Without opposition, the House **amended** SB 187 on May 16 to set a presumptive limit of $7,500 in compensation for appellate counsel, waivable for good cause shown. The bill, as amended, **PASSED THE HOUSE** on May 16 with a vote of [74-26](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/GetRollCallVoteResults.aspx?MOID=576659&VOTE=893&BODY=H&INST=HB260&SESS=1068&AMDSUB=). On May 18, the Senate voted [26-3](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/GetRollCallVoteResults.aspx?MOID=578448&VOTE=1275&BODY=S&INST=SB187&SESS=1068&AMDSUB=) **to CONCUR** in the House amendment. The bill was forwarded to Governor Kay Ivey, who **SIGNED INTO LAW** on May 26.  5\. **Introduced** on February 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee.**  6\. **Introduced** on February 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee.**  7\. **Introduced** on February 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee.**  8\. **Introduced** on February 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**.  9\. Introduced on February 16 and referred to the **Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation General Fund**. |
| **Arizona\*** | [**SB1518**](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/69378?SessionId=117) would **repeal the death penalty**. | The bill was [**introduced**](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/GetDocumentPdf/447180) on February 1 and assigned to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**. |
| **Arkansas\*** | 1\. [**HB1798**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB1798) would **change the prosecution's penalty-phase burden of proof from beyond a reasonable doubt to beyond any doubt.**  2\. [**HB2103**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB2103) would **abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment**.  3\. [**HB2170**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Pages/BillInformation.aspx?measureno=HB2170) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty upon a person "who, at the time of the offense, had active symptoms of a serious mental illness that substantially impaired his or her capacity."** | 1\. **HB1798** was [**introduced**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Bills/HB1798.pdf) on March 1 and was referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on March 2. The Committee conducted a hearing on March 21 and rejected the bill by unanimous voice vote. On May 1, the bill reportedly "died in House committee at *sine die* adjournment."  2\. **HB2103** was [**introduced**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Bills/HB2103.pdf) on March 6 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on March 7. The Committee conducted a hearing on March 21 and delayed consideration of the bill pending amendment to a provision on the life-sentencing replacement for capital punishment.  3\. **HB2170** was [**introduced**](http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/assembly/2017/2017R/Amendments/HB2170-H1.pdf) on March 6 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on March 15. The Committee conducted a hearing on March 21 and **rejected** the bill by voice vote. |
| **California** | [**AB 1443**](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1443) would **require the permanent retention of court records in capital felony cases in which the defendant is sentenced to death**, "including records of the cases of any codefendants and any related cases, regardless of the disposition." Court reporter notes in death penalty cases would also be retained permanently. | **AB 1443** was **[introduced](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billHistoryClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1443)** on February 17. On March 13, it was referred to the **Assembly Judiciary Committee** and the **Assembly Committee on Public Safety**, where it was unanimously approved. On May 18, the bill unanimously **PASSED THE ASSEMBLY** by a vote of 69-0.  On June 1, the bill was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**, where it unanimously passed (6-0) on June 28. On July 20, the bill unanimously **PASSED THE SENATE** by a vote of 38-0.  The bill was **SIGNED INTO LAW** by Governor Jerry Brown on August 7. |
| **Colorado\*** | **[SB17-095](http://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb17-095)** would **repeal the death penalty** for offenses committed on or after July 1, 2017 | The bill was **[introduced](http://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017A/bills/2017A_095_01.pdf)** on January 18 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**, where it was **defeated** by a 3-2 vote on February 15. |
| **Connecticut** | **[HB 5540](https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB5540), [HB 5370](https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB5370),** and **[HB 5271](https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/CGABillStatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&bill_num=HB5271)** **would reinstate the death penalty**. | All three bills were referred to the **Joint Committee on Judiciary** in January. |
| **Delaware** | [**HB 125**](https://legis.delaware.gov/BillDetail?LegislationId=25590) would **reinstate the death penalty** for murder or accomplice murder with 22 aggravating circumstances. | The bill was **[introduced](https://legis.delaware.gov/json/BillDetail/GeneratePdfDocument?legislationId=25590&legislationTypeId=1&docTypeId=2&legislationName=HB125)** and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on April 4. It was **approved** by the Committee on May 3 and sent to the full House. It **PASSED THE HOUSE** on May 9 by a vote of 24-16. |
| **Florida** | 1\. **[SB280](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0280/)** would amend the death penalty statute declared unconstitutional in *Hurst v. State* to **require a unanimous jury recommendation of death** before the trial judge may impose the death penalty.  **[HB527](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0527)** would **require a unanimous vote by jury to recommend a death sentence** and would designate any other jury sentencing vote a recommendation for a life sentence.  1a. [Amendment](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0280/Amendment/534722/PDF) to SB280 proposed in committee **expressing "the intent of the legislature that *Hurst v. State* apply \[retroactively\]** in cases in which the death sentence became final prior to June 24, 2002."  2\. [HB477](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/477/?Tab=BillHistory) would permitting **charging the seller of fentanyl or certain other opioids with first-degree murder (potentially subject to the death penalty)** if the user of the illegally-purchased dies and the drugs are “proven to be the proximate cause of the death of the user." | 1\. **SB280** **[filed](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0280/BillText/__/PDF)** January 6. Referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice Committee** and **Rules Committee** on January 25. **Approved** by the Criminal Justice Committee 6-0 on February 6. **Approved** by the Senate Rules Committee 10-0 on February 22. On March 6, the bill was placed on the Senate Special Order Calendar for March 9, and **PASSED THE SENATE** by a vote of 37-0.  **HB527** was [**filed**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/0527/BillText/__/PDF) on January 24 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on February 6. That day, it was referred to the **Criminal Justice Subcommittee**. It received a 14-0 **favorable recommendation** by the subcommittee on February 15 and a 17-1 **favorable recommendation** by the full Judiciary Committee on February 21. On March 6, the bill was placed on the the Special Order Calendar for the full House for March 9, and on March 7, the bill was introduced in the State Senate.  On March 10, **PASSED THE HOUSE** by a vote of 112-3. [**SIGNED INTO LAW**](http://laws.flrules.org/2017/1) by Gov. Rick Scott on March 13,  1a. Amendment **withdrawn**.  2\. **HB477** was [**filed**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/477/BillText/er/PDF) on January 24 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** and the subcommittees on Criminal Justice and Justice Appropriations. It was **favorably reported** out of the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 17 by a vote of 13-1 and the Justice Appropriations Subcommittee on April 3 by a vote of 13-0. The bill **passed** the Judiciary Committee by a vote of 13-0 on April 6. On April 20, it **PASSED THE HOUSE** by a vote of 118-0.  The bill was **substituted** for SB150 in the Senate on May 2 and amended, and **PASSED THE SENATE** by a vote of 37-0 on May 3. The House refused to concur with the Senate amendment, and the Senate withdrew the amendment and repassed the bill on May 5 by a vote of 31-7. **SIGNED INTO LAW** by Governor Rick Scott on June 14. |
| **Indiana\*** | 1.**[SB146](https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/146)** would **abolish the death penalty** and resentence current death row prisoners to to life without parole. It also would lower from 18 to 16 the age at which a person could be sentenced to life without parole.  2\. **[SB155](https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/155)** would **prohibit the death penalty for persons with serious mental illness** and establish procedures for determining whether a defendant charged with or convicted of a capital murder is seriously mentally ill. | 1\. The bill was [**introduced**](https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/146) on January 4 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**.  2\. The bill was [**introduced**](https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2017/bills/senate/155) on January 4 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**. |
| **Iowa** | [**SF335**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=SF%20335&ga=87) would **make the multiple offense of murdering a minor during the course of kidnapping and sexually abusing that minor a capital offense**.  [**SF336**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/billTracking/billHistory?billName=SF%20336&ga=87) would **make the multiple offense of murdering a person during the course of sexually abusing that person a capital offense.** | **Senate File 335** was [**introduced**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/87/SF335.pdf) on February 23 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**.  **Senate File 336** was [**introduced**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/87/SF336.pdf) on February 23 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**.  The bills' proponents have reportedly withdrawn them from consideration this term. |
| **Kansas\*** | **[HB2167](http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hb2167/)** would **prospectively repeal the death penalty**and replace it with life without possibility of parole. | The bill, sponsored by 8 Republicans and 7 Democrats, was [**introduced**](http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/documents/hb2167_00_0000.pdf) on January 25 and referred to the **House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice**. A hearing was held on the bill on February 13. |
| **Kentucky\*** | 1\. **[SB68(BR-137)](https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/BillSummary.aspx?br_rsn=38598&ses_rsn=98)** would:  1\. direct the the Legislative Research Commission to **create a Task Force on the Death Penalty** to study and develop reccomendations regarding the Commonwealth's use of the death penalty for capital offenses;   2\. require that the Task Force submit a final report no later than December 3, 2018;   3\. **suspend executions** until December 3, 2018, or until that report is submitted.  2\. [**SB131(BR-1422)**](https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/BillSummary.aspx?br_rsn=39708&ses_rsn=98) and [**HB251(BR-1377)**](https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/BillSummary.aspx?br_rsn=39663&ses_rsn=98) would **abolish the death penalty and replace it with life imprisonment without probation or parole**.  3\. **[HB219(BR-1029)](https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/BillSummary.aspx?br_rsn=39315&ses_rsn=98)** would **expand the death penalty** by adding as an aggravating circumstance the **murder of a victim aged 12 or under or particular vulnerable adults**.  4\. [**SB186(BR-44)**](https://secure.kentucky.gov/BillWatch/BillSummary.aspx?br_rsn=38501&ses_rsn=98) would **expand the death penalty by adding a conviction for terrorism as an aggravating circumstance**. | 1\. **SB68** bill was **prefiled** on December 9, 2016, and formally [**introduced**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) on January 3, 2017. It was referred to the **Judiciary Committee** on January 7.  2\. **SB131** was [**introduced**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) on February 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 8.  **HB251**was [**introduced**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) on February 7 with 17 sponsors and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on February 9.  3\. **HB219** was [**introduced**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) on February 7 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee** on February 9.  4\. **SB186** was [**introduced**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) on February 14 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 15. It was reported favorably out of committee on February 23. Four floor amendments were filed on March 1 & 2. The bill was passed over but retained for consideration by the full Senate on March 3 and **recommitted** to the **Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee** on March 6. |
| **Louisiana\*** | 1\. [**HB101**](http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=231474) would **abolish the death penalty**.  2\. [**SB142**](http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/BillInfo.aspx?s=17RS&b=SB142&sbi=y) would **abolish the death penalty**. | 1\. The bill was [**prefiled**](http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1025996) on March 23 and referred to the **House Committee on Administration of Criminal Justice**. The bill was **amended** in committee on May 17 to provide that, if the legislature repealed the death penalty, that repeal would be subject to ratification by statewide referendum. The bill, as amended, was **defeated** by a vote of 9-8.  2\. The bill was [**prefiled**](https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1030108) and provisionally referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on March 30. On April 25, the Senate Judiciary Committee **approved the bill** by a vote of 6-1 and sent it to the full Senate. The Senate was scheduled to consider the bill on May 10, but consideration has been delayed. |
| **Maryland** | [**HB881**](http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=hb0881&stab=01&ys=2017RS) and [**SB958**](http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/webmga/frmMain.aspx?pid=billpage&tab=subject3&id=sb0958&stab=01&ys=2017RS) would **reinstate the death penalty for the murder of a “law enforcement officer” or a “first responder.”** | **HB881** was [**introduced**](http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/hb/hb0881F.pdf) with 19 sponsors on February 6 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**, where it was scheduled for a hearing on February 21. It was **defeated** in committee on March 6.  **SB958** was **[introduced](http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2017RS/bills/sb/sb0958F.pdf)** with 4 sponsors on February 3 and referred to the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee, where it was scheduled for a hearing on February 21. |
| **Mississippi** | 1\. [**HB615**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/HB/HB0615.xml) would **classify "killing a peace officer or fireman ... acting in his official capacity" as a hate crime** and requires that any person convicted of a capital murder that is also designated as a hate crime be sentenced either to life without parole or death. The primary effect of the bill would be to eliminate the possibility of parole for a person convicted of killing a person involved in law enforcement or firefighter.  2\. [**HB638**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/HB/HB0638.xml) and [**SB2280**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/SB/SB2280.xml) would **amend state law concerning the method of execution** to provide that execution shall be by "the sequential intravenous administration" of "(a) an appropriate anesthetic or sedative; (b) a chemical paralytic agent; and (c) potassium chloride, or other similarly effective substance."  It also would **establish a hierarchy of execution methods** if each of the more favored methods of executions are "held unconstitutional or are otherwise unavailable" and vests in the Commissioner of Corrections "the authority and discretion to select and obtain the substances and the means necessary to carry out an execution." The heirarchy of execution methods would be as follows:  1\. **Lethal injection with three drugs**   2\. **Nitrogen hypoxia**   3\. **Firing squad**   4\. **Electrocution**  3\. [**HB769**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/HB/HB0769.xml) would **prohibit the imposition of the death penalty "when a conviction is based solely on circumstantial evidence."**  4\. [**SB2185**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/history/SB/SB2185.xml) would require that, in a case in which a defendant has raised intellectual disability as a penalty defense, the jury may not impose the death penalty unless it **unanimously finds that the defendant "is not a person who is intellectually disabled**." | 1\. The police hate crime bill was [**introduced**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/HB/0600-0699/HB0615IN.pdf) January 13 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee B**, where it is reported to have "**died in committee**" on January 31.  2\. The execution hierarchy bills were introduced January 13. [SB2280](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/SB/2200-2299/SB2280IN.pdf) was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee, Division A**, where it is reported to have "**died in committee**" on January 31.  [**HB638**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/HB/0600-0699/HB0638IN.pdf) was referred to the **House Judiciary Committee B** and **reported out of committee** on January 26. Attempts to amend the bill on the floor of the House to create a [death penalty study commission](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/ham/HB0638_H_Amend_01.pdf) and to require the use of an "[ulta, fast-acting barbiturate](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/ham/HB0638_H_Amend_02.pdf)" failed by voice votes on February 8. The bill [**PASSED**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/votes/house/0370005.pdf) the **House** by a vote of [74-44](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/votes/house/0370005.pdf) on February 8.  **HB638** was transmitted to the Senate on February 13 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 20. It was [**amended**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/sam/HB0638_S_Cmte_Amend_01.pdf) in committee on February 23 to remove firing squad as one of the execution options. On March 2, the bill PASSED the Senate as amended by a vote of [38-13](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/votes/senate/0590021.pdf).  It was returned to the House for concurrence on March 3 and the House declined to concur on March 20. On March 25, a conference committee filed its **[report](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/cr/HB0638CR.pdf)** restoring the firing squad as the third execution option. The House **ADOPTED** the report on March 26 by a vote of [78-43](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/votes/house/0830036.pdf). The Senate **ADOPTED** the report on March 28 by a vote of [41-10](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2017/pdf/votes/senate/0850083.pdf) and it was sent to the Governor for signature or veto.  The bill was **SIGNED INTO LAW** on April 5.  3\. The circumstantial evidence bill was [**introduced**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/HB/0700-0799/HB0769IN.pdf) January 13 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee B**, where it is reported to have "**died in committee**" on January 31.  4\. The intellectual disability bill was **[introduced](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2017/pdf/SB/2100-2199/SB2185IN.pdf)** January 13 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee, Division A**, where it is reported to have "**died in committee**" on January 31. |
| **Missouri\*** | 1\. [**HB135**](https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB135&year=2017&code=R) and **[SB277](http://www.senate.mo.gov/17info/BTS_Web/Actions.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=57611612)** would **repeal the death penalty**. | 1\. **[HB135](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/admin/structure/block/manage/block/80/configure)** was **prefiled** on December 5, 2016 and officially **introduced** on January 4, 2017. As of January 20, it had not yet been referred to committee. **[SB277](http://www.senate.mo.gov/17info/pdf-bill/intro/SB277.pdf)** was **introduced** on January 10 and referred to the **Senate General Laws Committee** on January 19. |
| **Montana\*** | [**HB366**](http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0210W$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_NO1=366&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=HB&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SESS=20171%20%20N) would **abolish the death penalty** and replace it with life without possibility of parole. | The bill was [**introduced**](http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2017/billpdf/HB0366.pdf) on February 2 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**, which conducted a hearing on the bill on February 6. The Committee voted 10-9 on February 9 to **table the bill**. |
| **Nebraska\*** | 1\. **[LB446](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=31497)** would **abolish the death penalty**.  2\. [**LB661**](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/view_bill.php?DocumentID=30902) would **exempt records from public disclosure** that contain "any information reasonably calculated to lead to the identity of any person or entity that manufactures, supplies, compounds, or prescribes the substance or substances, medical supplies, or medical equipment utilized to perform a lethal injection." | 1\. The death penalty abolition bill was **[introduced](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Intro/LB446.pdf)** on January 17 and referred to the **Judiciary Committee** on January 19. The Committee conducted a hearing on the bill on March 22,  2\. The execution secrecy bill was [**introduced**](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Intro/LB661.pdf) with 11 sponsors on January 18 and referred to the **Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee**. A motion to instead refer it to the **Judiciary Committee failed**and the bill is scheduled for a hearing in the Government committee February 9. |
| **Nevada\*** | 1\. [**AB90**](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/Reports/history.cfm?ID=207) would **expand the death penalty to include the killing of a peace officer or correctional officer**.  2\. [**AB237**](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/Reports/history.cfm?ID=498) would **abolish the death penalty.** | 1\. The blue lives death penalty expansion bill was [**prefiled**](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/Bills/AB/AB90.pdf) on January 30 and referred to the **Assembly Judiciary Committee**.  2\. The abolition bill was **[introduced ](https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/79th2017/Bills/AB/AB237.pdf)**on February 24 and referred to the **Assembly Judiciary Committee**, which held a hearing on the bill on March 29. |
| **New Hampshire** | **[HB351](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=154&sy=2017&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2017&txtbillnumber=HB351&q=1)** would **expand the death penalty** to include knowingly causing the death of a person who is less than 18 years of age. | The bill was **[introduced](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=154&sy=2017&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2017&txtbillnumber=HB351&q=1)** on January 5 and referred to the **House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee**. The Committee held a hearing on the bill on February 7. On March 1, the committee deemed the bill "**inexpedient to legislate**" by a vote of [17-3](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_docket.aspx?lsr=154&sy=2017&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2017&txtbillnumber=hb351). On March 8, the full House upheld the committee decision and **rejected the bill** by a vote of **305-46**. |
| **New Jersey** | 5 bills to reintroduce the death penalty for a variety of homicides were introduced in the Assembly and 3 in the Senate in 2016 as part of the 2016-2017 legislative session | None of the bills has advanced in committee. |
| **New Mexico** | [**HB72**](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=72&year=17) would reinstate the death penalty for capital felonies. | The bill was [**introduced**](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/17%20Regular/bills/house/HB0072.pdf) on January 6 and referred to the **House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee**. On March 5, the Committee rejected the bill by a vote of 3-2. |
| **North Carolina\*** | **[HB604](http://www.ncleg.net/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2017&BillID=H604)** would repeal the death penalty and replace it with life without possiblity of parole. The repeal also would apply to prisoners currently under sentence of death. | The bill was [introduced](http://www.ncleg.net/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/PDF/H604v0.pdf) on April 5 and referred to the **House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations** on April 6. |
| **Ohio\*** | 1\. [**HB38**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-HB-38) would **expand the death penalty to include the murder of a first responder or member of the military**.  2\. [**SB12**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-SB-12) would provide that a defendant cannot be executed if **the death penalty cannot be sought or imposed** if decisions in pursuing the death penalty were **based on the defendant's race.** It would permit the use of statistical evidence to demonstrate that decisions were based on race. If reversal of a death sentence would otherwise make the defendant eligible for parole, the defendant would have to agree to accept a sentence of life without parole.  3\. [**SB40**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-summary?id=GA132-SB-40) and [**HB81**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-status?id=GA132-HB-81) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty upon a person who was suffering from a serious mental illness at the time of the offense**.  4\. **[SB94](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-status?id=GA132-SB-94)** and [**HB389**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-status?id=GA132-HB-389) would **abolish the death penalty**. | 1\. **HB38**, which has 14 co-sponsors, was [**introduced**](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/3457756-HB-38-First-Responder-Protections.html) on February 7 and **referred** to the **House Criminal Justice Committee**, where it received a hearing on February 21. On May 17, the bill was **favorably reported** out of committee by a vote of [11-0](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-votes?id=GA132-HB-38). On May 17, it **PASSED THE HOUSE** by a vote of [96-0](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-votes?id=GA132-HB-38).  On May 18, the bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on May 24.  2\. **SB12** was **[introduced](http://file/Users/rob/Downloads/sb12_00_IN.pdf)** on January 31 with 2 co-sponsors and **referred** to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 1.  3\. **SB40** was [**introduced**](http://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/solarapi/v1/general_assembly_132/bills/sb40/IN/00?format=pdf) with two sponsors and 7 co-sponsors on February 8. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 15.  **HB81** was [**introduced**](http://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/solarapi/v1/general_assembly_132/bills/hb81/IN/00?format=pdf) with two sponsors and 11 co-sponsors on February 22.  4\. **SB94** was [**introduced**](http://search-prod.lis.state.oh.us/solarapi/v1/general_assembly_132/bills/sb94/IN/00?format=pdf) on March 7 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on March 15.  **HB389** was [**introduced**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-documents?id=GA132-HB-389) on October 23 and referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on October 31. |
| **Oklahoma** | **[HB 1679](http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=HB%201679)**, authored by House Speaker Pro Tempore Harold Wright, would **eliminate the electric chair** as a mode of execution and create the following hierarchy for execution methods in the state:  1\. **Lethal injection**   2\. **Nitrogen hypoxia**   3\. **Firing squad**   4\. "**Any method not prohibited** by the United States Constitution." | The bill was **[introduced](http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2017-18%20INT/hB/HB1679%20INT.PDF)** on January 19 and was referred to the **House Judiciary - Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee** on February 7. The Committee [**substituted**](http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2017-18%20COMMITTEE%20SUBS/HCS/HB1679%20CS.PDF) a new version of the bill on February 9, which [**passed**](http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2017-18%20COMMITTEE%20REPORTS/HOUSE/HB1679%20HCR.PDF) the Committee that day by a vote of 10-1. The Committee substitute **PASSED THE HOUSE** by a vote of 74-22 on February 16.  The bill was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on March 20. |
| **Pennsylvania\*** | [**SB703**](http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2017&sind=0&body=S&type=B&bn=0703) and [**HB166**](http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/billinfo/billinfo.cfm?syear=2017&sind=0&body=H&type=B&bn=1466) would **prospectively repeal the death penalty**. | **SB703** was [**introduced**](http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2017&sessInd=0&billBody=S&billTyp=B&billNbr=0703&pn=0810) on May 8 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**.  **HB1466** was [**introduced**](http://www.legis.state.pa.us/CFDOCS/Legis/PN/Public/btCheck.cfm?txtType=PDF&sessYr=2017&sessInd=0&billBody=H&billTyp=B&billNbr=1466&pn=1871) on May 31 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**. |
| **Rhode Island** | **H5208** would **authorize the death penalty for the ambush murder of a first responder**. | H5208 was [**introduced**](http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext17/housetext17/h5208.htm) on January 26 and referred to the **House Judicilary Committee**. |
| **South Dakota** | [**HB1099**](https://sdlegislature.gov/?Bill=1099&Session=2017) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty "upon any person with a severe mental illness** with significantly impaired capacity at the time the offense was committed." | **HB1099** was [**introduced**](https://sdlegislature.gov/) on January 25, with sponsorship by 23 representatives and 7 Senators and referred to the **House State Affairs Committee**. On February 13, the committee voted down the bill 8-4 on February 13. |
| **Tennessee** | 1\. [**HB7**](http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0007.pdf) and [**SB27**](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/17%20Regular/bills/house/HB0072.html) would provide for **automatic direct review by the Tennessee supreme court** of& capital convictions and death sentences and **removes an intermediate level of direct appeal** to the court of criminal appeals in death penalty cases.  2\. [**HB345**](http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0345&GA=110) and [**SB378**](http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0378) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty upon a defendant who was suffering from severe mental illness** at the time of the offense | 1\. **HB7** was [filed for introduction](http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0007) January 5 and officially **introduced** on January 10. It was referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on January 12 and assigned to the the **Subcommittee on Criminal Justice** on January 24. It was placed on the subcommittee's calendar for February 7.  **SB27** was **filed for introduction** on January 11 and officially **introduced** on January 12. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** and placed on the calendar for February 7.  2\. **HB345** was filed for introduction on February 1, 2017 and officially [**introduced**](http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0345.pdf) on February 2. It was referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on February 6 and assisgned to the **Criminal Justice Subcommittee** on February 7.  **SB378** was **[filed](http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB0378.pdf)** for introduction on February 2. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 8. |
| **Texas\*** | 1\. [**HB64**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB%2064), **[HB1537](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB1537)**, and [**SB597**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB%20597) would **abolish capital punishment** and replace it with a mandatory sentence of life for crimes committed when the offender was younger than age 18 and with a mandatory sentence of life without parole for offenders age 18 or older.  2\. [**HB147**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB147) and [**HB316**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB316) would **preclude imposing the death penalty** upon a defendant who is found guilty of a capital felony **solely under the Texas law of parties**(based solely upon the acts and intent of another) and would **preclude the state from seeking the death penalty** against a defendant **based solely upon the law of parties**.  3\. [**HB1676** ](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB1676)would **establish an Office of Capital Appellate Defender** to represent capital defendants during the direct appeal stage of their case.  4\. [**SB958**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB958) would **require capital defendants to file a state petition for habeas corpus within 45 days of the date the Court of Criminal Appeals issues its decision on direct appeal**, rather than 180 days after the convicting court appoints counsel for the defendant.  5\. [**SB1065**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB1065) would **require each juror to separately determine the answers to the penalty-phase special questions** and to independently consider the weight of mitigating evidence and would permit a death sentence only if all jurors individually answered yes to the special questions and all jurors individually determined that evidence did not mitigate against the imposition of the death penalty. It also would specifically list **residual doubt** as a factor mitgating against imposing the death penalty.  6\. [**HB3080**](https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=HB3080) would **preclude imposing the death penalty on persons with active psychotic symptoms of severe mental illness** that substantially impair the person’s capacity to: (1) appreciate the nature, consequences, or wrongfulness of his or her conduct; (2) exercise rational judgment in relation to his or her conduct; or (3) conform his or her conduct to the requirements of the law. | 1\. **HB64** was **[filed](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB00064I.pdf)** on November 14, 2016. An identical companion bill, **HB1537**, was [**filed**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB01537I.pdf) on February 3, 2017. **HB64** was referred to the **House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence** on February 13.  **SB597** was **[filed](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/SB00597I.pdf)** January 24 and was referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice Committee** on February 8.  2\. **HB147** was [**filed**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB00147I.pdf) on November 14, 2016 and was referred to the **House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence** on February 13. **HB316** was [**filed**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB00316I.pdf) on November 14, 2016 and was referred to the **House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence** on February 15.  3\. **HB1676** was [**introduced**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB01676I.pdf) on February 8 and referred to the **House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence** on March 6.  4\. **SB958** was [**filed**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/SB00958I.pdf) on February 17 and and was referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice Committee** on March 1.  5\. **SB1065** was [**filed**](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/SB01065I.pdf) on February 23 and was referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice Committee** on March 6.  6\. **HB3080** was **[filed](https://capitol.texas.gov/tlodocs/85R/billtext/pdf/HB03080I.pdf)** on March 7. |
| **Utah** | 1\. [**HB176**](http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/HB0176.html) would **add to the definition of aggravated murder** a homicide that was committed incident to criminal conduct in which the defendant committed or attemoted to commit **human trafficking, human trafficking of a child, or aggravated human trafficking**.  (Note: Utah's death penalty statute already authorizes the death penalty when the murder occurred during a criminal act or episode involving actual or attempted kidnapping, child kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping; actual or attempted rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse, or rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual abuse of a child.)  2\. [**HB187**](http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/HB0187.html) would direct the Legislative Auditor General to **conduct an audit of the comparative costs of the death penalty capital offenses and non-death penalty capital cases**. | 1\. **HB176** was [**introduced**](http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/HB0176.html) January 23 and was referred to the **House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee** on January 27. It was reported to the full House with a [6-5](http://le.utah.gov/mtgvotes.jsp?voteid=1780) favorable recommendation on February 3 and narrowly **PASSED THE HOUSE** on February 21 by a vote of [**38-37**](http://le.utah.gov/DynaBill/svotes.jsp?sessionid=2017GS&voteid=406&house=H). It was referred to the **Senate Rules Committee** on February 22 and the **Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee** on February 23 and returned to the Senate Rules Committee without having been considered by the Judiciary Committee on March 6.  On March 9, placed in the House file for **bills not passed**.  2\. **HB187** was [**introduced**](http://le.utah.gov/~2017/bills/static/HB0187.html) on January 24 and was referred to the **House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee** on January 27. It was reported to the full House with a **[8-2](http://le.utah.gov/mtgvotes.jsp?voteid=1997)** favorable recommendation on February 7 and **PASSED THE HOUSE** on February 21 by a vote of **[72-0](http://le.utah.gov/DynaBill/svotes.jsp?sessionid=2017GS&voteid=410&house=H)**. It was referred to the **Senate Rules Committee** on February 22 and the **Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee** on February 23, from which it received a **favorable recommendation** by a vote of [4-0](http://le.utah.gov/mtgvotes.jsp?voteid=4392) on March 6. It was returned to the Rules Committee, where it **died in committee** on March 9 and was placed in the House file for **bills not passed**. |
| **Virginia** | 1\. [**HB1522**](http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/HB0345.pdf) and [**SB1348**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?ses=171&typ=bil&val=SB1348&submit=GO) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty upon a defendant with severe mental illness**. The determination of severe mental illness would be made by the jury or judge in the penalty phase of a capital trial.  2\. **[HB1882](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+sum+HB1882)** offers a technical amendment to the state's criminal code, replacing the term "mental retardation" with the term "intellectual disability" for purposes of statutes governing capital punishment. | 1\. **HB1522** was [**prefiled** ](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+ful+HB1522)on December 22, 2016 and referred to the **House Committee for Courts of Justice**. It was assigned to the **Courts Subcommittee on Criminal Law** on January 27, 2017, where it was **tabled**by voice vote on January 30.  **SB1348** was [**prefiled**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+ful+SB1348+pdf) on January 11 and referred to the **Senate Committee for Courts of Justice**, where was **passed by indefinitely** by a vote of 9-5 on January 23.  2\. The bill was [**prefiled**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+ful+HB1882) on January 11 and referred to the **Committee for Courts of Law**. It was unanimously approved by the committee ([20-0](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+vot+H08V0049+HB1882)) on January 20 and **PASSED THE HOUSE** on January 26 by a vote of [99-0](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+vot+HV1626+HB1882). The bill was referred to the **Senate Committee for Courts of Justice** on January 27. It was unanimously approved by the committee ([15-0](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+vot+S03V0228+HB1882)) on February 6 and **PASSED THE SENATE** on February 8 by a vote of [39-0](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?171+vot+SV0415HB1882+HB1882).  The bill was **SIGNED INTO LAW** by Governor Terry McAuliffe on February 20. |
| **Washington\*** | [**HB1935**](http://apps2.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1935&Year=2017&BillNumber=1935&Year=2017) and **[SB5354](http://apps2.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5354&Year=2017&BillNumber=5354&Year=2017)** would **repeal the death penalty**and replace it with life imprisonment without possibility of release or parole. | **HB1935** was [**introduced**](http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/House%20Bills/1935.pdf) on February 3, 2017 and referred to the **House Committee on Judiciary**, where it had a public hearing on February 15. No further action was taken on the bill during the 2017 regular session and, by resolution, it was "reintroduced and retained in present status" in each of the 3 special legislative sessions in 2017.  **SB5354** was [**introduced**](http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/5354.pdf) on January 20 by 12 Senators "by request of Attorney General" and referred to the **Senate Committee on Law & Justice**. No action was taken on the bill during the 2017 regular session and, by resolution, it was "reintroduced and retained in present status" in each of the 3 special legislative sessions in 2017. |
| **Wyoming\*** | **[HB240](http://www.wyoleg.gov/2017/Digest/HB0240.pdf)** would **repeal the death penalty**. | The bill was [**introduced**](http://www.wyoleg.gov/2017/Introduced/HB0240.pdf) with 5 House sponsors and two Senate sponsors on January 26 and referred to the House Minerals Committee, where it is listed as having **died in committee** on February 3. |
| **Federal** | [**HR 115**](https://judiciary.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/BILLS-115hr115ih.pdf) (the "Thin Blue Line Act") would expand the federal death penalty to make the killing of state and local police officers an aggravating circumstance. | The bill was **introduced** in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 3, 2017 and referred tp the **House Judiciary Committee**. The Committee **advanced** the bill on April 27 by a vote of 19-12. The House of Representatives **PASSED** the bill by a vote of 271-143 on May 18. |