--- title: '2018 Legislation' description: 'State Description Status Dates of Legislative Session Alabama 1. SB272 would authorize executions by nitrogen hypoxia if lethal injection is…' canonical: 'https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/data/recent-legislative-activity/legislation-by-year/2018-legislation' section: topics date: '2018-12-01T10:15:00-05:00' updated: '2025-03-14T14:56:38-04:00' source: 'Death Penalty Information Center' --- ! The Louisiana House of Representatives Committee on the Administration of Justice hears testimony on HB 162 on April 11, 2018. The bill, which would have abolished the state's death penalty, failed by one vote in the committee. ! The Washington Senate Law and Justice Committee hears testimony on SB 6052, to abolish the state's death penalty, on January 22, 2018. The bill passed in the Senate and a House Committee, but was not voted on by the full House prior to adjournment of the legislative session. | State | Description | Status | Dates of Legislative Session | |---|---|---|---| | **Alabama\*** | 1\. [**SB272**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB272&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **authorize executions by nitrogen hypoxia** if lethal injection is unavailable or found to be unconstitutional and would give a death-sentenced prisoner one opportunity to choose to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia or the electric chair, so long as he or she designates the method of execution within 30 days of the Alabama Supreme Court's affirmance of the sentence of death imposed in the case. If the prisoner does not designate a method of execution, the default method of execution remains lethal injection. 2\. [**SB118**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB118&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **establish procedures for determining if death-penalty defendants have intellectual disability**. 3\. [**SB119**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB119&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **prohibit the imposition of a death sentence on anyone younger than 18 at the time of the crime**, bringing Alabama law into agreement with *Roper v. Simmons*(2005). 4\. [**SB106**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB106&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **retroactively apply the 2017 law that ended the ability of judges to override jury verdicts in death-penalty cases**. 5\. [**SB104**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB104&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **repeal the death penalty**. 6\. [**SB103**](http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/Alison/SESSBillStatusResult.ASPX?BILL=SB103&WIN_TYPE=BillResult) would **place a moratorium on the death penalty** for a period of three years until certain procedures are implemented to ensure that death penalty cases are administered fairly and impartially. | 1\. Introduced and referred to **Senate Judiciary Committee** on January 9, 2018. The committee **approved** the bill by a vote of 11-1 on February 14, 2018. The bill **PASSED** the Senate on February 22 by a vote of 29-0. **PASSED** the House on March 20 by a vote of 75-23. **SIGNED** into law by Governor Kay Ivey on March 22, 2018. 2\. Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2018 3\. Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2018 4\. Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2018 5\. Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2018 6\. Referred to Judiciary Committee on January 9, 2018 | January 9, 2018-April 23, 2018 | | **Arizona** | | | January 8, 2018-April 21, 2018 | | **Arkansas** | | | February 12, 2018-March 14, 2018 | | **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, 2017. On March 13, 2017 it was referred to the **Assembly Judiciary Committee** and the **Assembly Committee on Public Safety**, where it was unanimously approved. On May 18, 2017 the bill unanimously **PASSED THE ASSEMBLY** by a vote of 69-0. On June 1, 2017 the bill was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**, where it unanimously passed (6-0) on June 28, 2017. On July 20, 2017 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, 2017. | December 5, 2016-November 30, 2018 | | **Colorado** | | | January 10, 2018-May 9, 2018 | | **Connecticut** | | | February 7, 2018-May 9, 2018 | | **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. | January 1, 2017-June 30, 2018 | | **Florida\*** | 1\. [**SB870**](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/00870/?Tab=BillHistory) would **apply [*Hurst v. Florida*](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/stories/hurst-v-florida) to all death penalty cases**, not just those that became final after June 24, 2002. **2. [SB1416](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/01416/?Tab=BillHistory)** would **abolish the death penalty**. | 1\. **[Filed](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/870/BillText/Filed/PDF)** November 14, 2017 and referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice Committee** on November 29. It was on the committee's agenda on January 9, 2018, but not considered. It was considered and **PASSED** by the committee by a vote of 3-2 on February 6, 2018, then referred to the **Senate Rules Committee**. 2\. **[Filed](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/1416/BillText/Filed/PDF)** January 2, 2018 and referred to the **Senate Criminal Justice; Judiciary; and Rules Committees** on January 12. | January 9, 2018-March 7, 2018 | | **Georgia** | | | January 9, 2017-March 2, 2018 | | **Idaho** | | | January 8, 2018-March 23, 2018 | | **Illinois** | **[HB 1468](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/billstatus.asp?DocNum=1468&GAID=14&GA=100&DocTypeID=HB&LegID=101958&SessionID=91)** was a bill that would have required a 72-hour waiting period for the sale of assault rifles. Following its passage, Gov. Raumer issued an amendatory veto, seeking to **reintroduce the death penalty for the murder of police officers or two or more victims**. The penalty for "death-penalty murder" is ostensibly a mandatory death penalty. However, mitigating circumstances may be presented to a judge who could impose a life sentence. | HB 1468 passed the legislature with no mention of the death penalty. On May 14, 2018, Gov. Rauner issued an **[amendatory veto](http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=10000HB1468gms&GA=100&LegID=101958&SessionId=91&SpecSess=0&DocTypeId=HB&DocNum=1468&GAID=14&Session=)** adding an unrelated set of death penalty provisions. On May 31, 2018, the final day of the legislative session, the legislature passed a revised gun-control bill with no mention of capital punishment. Gov. Rauner has 60 days from passage to act on the bill. | January 11, 2017-January 9, 2019 (recess June 1, 2018-November 15, 2018) | | **Indiana** | | | January 8, 2018-March 21, 2018 | | **Iowa** | 1\. [**Senate File 335**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=87&ba=SF335) would **reinstate the death penalty** for offenses in which a minor is kidnapped, raped, and murdered. 2\. [**House Study Bill 569**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=87&ba=HSB569) would **reinstate the death penalty**for murder in the first degree. | 1\. **[Introduced](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/87/SF335.pdf)** and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 23, 2017. The bill **advanced** out of a subcommittee by a 3-2 vote on February 12, 2018, but on February 13 was **PULLED FROM CONSIDERATION** by the Committee chairman. 2\. [**Introduced**](https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/87/HSB569.pdf) and referred to House subcommittee on Public Safety on January 23, 2018. After a subcommittee hearing, the bill **passed** a public safety subcommittee, but proponents of the measure indicated they did not have sufficient support to move forward with the bill in committee. | January 9, 2017-January 13, 2019 | | **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, 2017 and referred to the **House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice**. A hearing was held on the bill on February 13, 2017. | January 9, 2017-April 7, 2018 | | **Kentucky\*** | 1\. [**SB54**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) and [**HB155**](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx) would **abolish the death penalty**. 2\. **[SB107](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx)** would **exempt persons with severe mental illness from the death penalty**. 3\. **[HB316](https://legislature.ky.gov/Pages/index.aspx)** would make **the murder of a victim aged 12 years old or younger** or a mentally or physically dysfunctioning adult in need of protective services an aggravating circumstance. | 1\. SB54 referred to **Judiciary Committee** on Jan. 4, 2018. 2\. SB107 was introduced on January 23, 2018. The bill was **amended** in committee on March 1 to remove Posttraumatic Stress Disorder from the list of conditions that would bar application of the death penalty against severely mentally ill individuals. The bill was favorably reported out of committee, as amended, but recommitted to the Judiciary Committee on March 15. 3\. HB316 was introducedon February 6, 2018 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**. | January 2, 2018-April 15, 2018 | | **Louisiana\*** | [**SB51**](http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/BillInfo.aspx?i=233264&sbi=y) and **HB 162** would **abolish the death penalty** for offenses committed on or after August 1, 2018 | SB51 was **[Prefiled](http://www.legis.la.gov/Legis/ViewDocument.aspx?d=1065590)** on February 21, 2018 and provisionally referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee**. The bill **passed** the committee by a vote of 4-1 on April 10, 2018. HB162 was referred to the **House Committee on the Administration of Criminal Justice**, which held [a hearing](http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Video/VideoArchivePlayer.aspx?v=house/2018/apr/0411_18_CJ) and voted 10-8 to **defeat** the bill on April 11, 2018. | March 12, 2018-June 4, 2018 | | **Mississippi** | 1\. [**HB244**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2018/pdf/history/HB/HB0244.xml) would **bar the death penalty** in cases where a conviction is based solely on circumstantial evidence 2\. [**HB923**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2018/pdf/history/HB/HB0923.xml) would **revise penalties for attempted capital offenses**, clarifying that the death penalty shall not be imposed for an attempted offense 3\. [**SB2200**](http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2018/pdf/history/SB/SB2200.xml) would **eliminate the death penalty for individuals with intellectual disabilities**, bringing Mississippi law into agreement with *Atkins v. Virginia* (2002) | 1\. Referred to **Judiciary Committee** on Jan. 2, 2018 2\. Referred to **Judiciary Committee** on Jan. 11, 2018 3\. Referred to **Judiciary Committee** on Jan. 9, 2018 | January 2, 2018-April 2, 2018 | | **Missouri\*** | 1\. [**SB595**](http://www.senate.mo.gov/18info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=69471943) and [**HB1433**](https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB1433&year=2018&code=R) would **abolish the death penalty** 2\. [**SB1081**](http://www.senate.mo.gov/18info/BTS_Web/Bill.aspx?SessionType=R&BillID=76885622) and [**HB2509**](https://house.mo.gov/bill.aspx?bill=HB2509&year=2018&code=R) would **prohibit imposing the death penalty upon a person who was suffering from a serious mental illness at the time of the offense**. | 1\. SB595 referred to **General Laws Committee** on Jan. 9, 2018 2\. SB1081 was [**introduced**](https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b208bde0-9abc-4c67-948a-6d87bec6f4f5/downloads/1c81866lm_357161.pdf) on March 1, 2018 and referred to the **Senate General Laws Committee**. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for April 11, 2018. HB2509 was [**introduced**](https://img1.wsimg.com/blobby/go/b208bde0-9abc-4c67-948a-6d87bec6f4f5/downloads/1c817slo7_889295.pdf) on February 20, 2018 and referred to the **House Committee on Health and Mental Health Policy** on March 5. A hearing on the bill is scheduled for April 11, 2018. | January 3, 2018-May 31, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and referred to the **Judiciary Committee** on January 19, 2017. The Committee conducted a hearing on the bill on March 22, 2017. 2\. The execution secrecy bill was [**introduced**](https://nebraskalegislature.gov/FloorDocs/105/PDF/Intro/LB661.pdf) with 11 sponsors on January 18, 2017 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, 2017. | January 4, 2017-April 13, 2018 | | **New Hampshire\*** | 1\. **[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. 2\. [**SB593**](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/bill_status.aspx?lsr=2707&sy=2018&txtsessionyear=2018&txtbillnumber=sb593&sortoption=&q=1) would abolish the death penalty and replace it with a maximum penalty of life without parole. | 1\. 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, 2017 and referred to the **House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee**. The Committee held a hearing on the bill on February 7, 2017. On March 1, 2017, 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, 2017, the full House upheld the committee decision and **REJECTED THE BILL** by a vote of **305-46**. 2\. Introduced on February 15, 2018 and referred to **Judiciary Committee**. The committee conducted a hearing on the bill on March 12, 2018 and recommended by a vote of 3-1 that the bill "**ought to pass**." The bill **PASSED** the full Senate on March 15, 2018 by a vote of [14-10](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/Roll_calls/billstatus_rcdetails.aspx?vs=116&sy=2018&lb=S&eb=SB0593&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2018&txtbillnumber=sb593&ddlsponsors=&lsr=2707) and moved to the House. SB593 was referred to the **House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee**, which held a hearing on the bill on April 4. On April 26, the committee recommended by a vote of [12-6](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/Bill_docket.aspx?lsr=2707&sy=2018&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2018&txtbillnumber=sb593&q=1) that the bill "**ought to pass,**" and it **PASSED** the full House that day by a vote of [223-116](http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/Roll_calls/billstatus_rcdetails.aspx?vs=190&sy=2018&lb=H&eb=SB0593&sortoption=&txtsessionyear=2018&txtbillnumber=sb593&ddlsponsors=&lsr=2707). Governor Chris Sununu vetoed the bill on June 21. On September 13, the Senate voted 14-10 to override the veto, falling two votes short of the two-thirds supermajority necessary for an override. | January 4, 2017-June 30, 2018 | | **New Mexico** | [**HB155**](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=155&year=18) would **reinstate the death penalty** for the murder of a police officer, a prison employee or contractor, or any victim under age 18. | The bill was [**introduced**](https://www.nmlegis.gov/Sessions/18%20Regular/bills/house/HB0155.pdf) on January 22, 2018 and referred to the **House Consumer and Public Affairs Committee**, which **REJECTED THE BILL** by a vote of [3-2](https://nmlegis.gov/Legislation/Legislation?Chamber=H&LegType=B&LegNo=155&year=18&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1) on February 3, 2018. | January 16, 2018-February 3, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and referred to the **House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations** on April 6, 2017. | January 11, 2017-July 1, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and **referred**to the **House Criminal Justice Committee**, where it received a hearing on February 21, 2017. On May 17, 2017, 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, 2017, 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, 2017, the bill was introduced in the Senate and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on May 24, 2017. 2\. **SB12** was **[introduced](http://file/Users/rob/Downloads/sb12_00_IN.pdf)** on January 31, 2017 with 2 co-sponsors and **referred** to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 1, 2017. 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, 2017. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 15, 2017. The committee has held three hearings on the bill. **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, 2017. It was referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on February 28, 2017. The committee held six hearings on the bill between March 7, 2017 and December 4, 2018, when the committee voted 9-3 in favor of passing the bill. A vote in the full House is expected in early December. 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, 2017 and referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on March 15, 2017. **HB389** was [**introduced**](https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/legislation-documents?id=GA132-HB-389) on October 23, 2017 and referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on October 31, 2017. | January 2, 2017-December 31, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and was referred to the **House Judiciary - Criminal Justice and Corrections Committee** on February 7, 2017. 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, 2017, 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, 2017. The bill was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on March 20, 2017. | February 6, 2017-May 25, 2018 | | **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, 2017 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, 2017 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**. | January 3, 2017-November 30, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and referred to the **House Judiciary Committee**. | January 3, 2017-June 30, 2018 | | **South Carolina** | 1\. **[SB871](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php?billnumbers=871&session=122&summary=B)** would **make confidential any identifying information about the execution team**, including suppliers of lethal-injection drugs. 2\. **[SB872](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/billsearch.php)** would **make electrocution the default method of execution**. Death-row prisoners would be offered the option of lethal injection if it is available. | 1\. SB 871 was introduced on January 9, 2018 and referred to the **Senate Committee on Corrections and Penology**. Favorably referred out of committee on February 6. 2\. SB872 was introduced on January 9, 2018 and referred to the **Senate Committee on Corrections and Penology**. Favorably referred out of committee with amendment on February 6. The amended bill **PASSED** the Senate by a vote of [26-12](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/votehistory.php?KEY=14047) on March 6. SB872 was sent to the House on March 7 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee on March 8. | January 10, 2017-June 7, 2018 | | **South Dakota** | [**HB1123**](https://sdlegislature.gov/?Bill=SB1123&CurrentSession=True) would **exempt from the death penalty persons with severe mental illness.** | HB1123 was **[introduced](https://sdlegislature.gov/)** on January 23, 2018 and referred to the **House State Affairs Committee**. The committee held a hearing on the bill on January 31, 2018, [amended](https://sdlegislature.gov/?Amend=amd1123ja.htm) the bill, and [voted 9-4 ](https://sdlegislature.gov/?Vote=25045&Session=2018)in favor of passage as amended. The bill **PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES** on February 2, 2018, but was tabled by a vote of 5-2 in the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 20. | January 9, 2018-March 26, 2018 | | **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, 2017 and officially **introduced** on January 10, 2017. It was referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on January 12, 2017 and assigned to the the **Subcommittee on Criminal Justice** on January 24, 2017. It was placed on the subcommittee's calendar for February 7, 2017. **SB27** was **filed for introduction** on January 11, 2017 and officially **introduced** on January 12, 2017. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** and placed on the calendar for February 7, 2017. 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, 2017. It was referred to the **House Criminal Justice Committee** on February 6, 2017 and assigned to the **Criminal Justice Subcommittee** on February 7, 2017. **SB378** was **[filed](http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/110/Bill/SB0378.pdf)** for introduction on February 2, 2017. It was referred to the **Senate Judiciary Committee** on February 8, 2017. | January 10, 2017-April 16, 2018 | | **Utah\*** | 1\. [**HB379**](https://le.utah.gov/~2018/bills/static/HB0379.html) would **prospectively repeal Utah's death penalty**. 2\. **[HB70](https://le.utah.gov/~2018/bills/static/HB0070.html)** would direct the Legislative Auditor General to conduct an **audit of the comparative costs of the death penalty capital offenses and nondeath penalty capital cases**. 3\. [**SB30**](https://le.utah.gov/~2018/bills/static/SB0030.html) would **expand the death penalty to add as an aggravating circumstance** the killings of correctional officers, special function officers, search and rescue personnel, emergency medical personnel, ambulance personnel, and security officers; and clarify that all peace officers and emergency responders as defined in Utah Code are also to be designated as potential victims of aggravated murder. | 1\. [**Introduced**](https://le.utah.gov/~2018/bills/hbillint/HB0379.pdf) February 13, 2018 and referred to the House Judiciary Committee. Favorably reported out of committee by a vote of 7-4 on February 22. Subsequently withdrawn from consideration. 2\. Introduced on January 22, 2018 3\. Introduced on January 22, 2018. Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee gave it a favorable recommendation (5-1 vote, with one absent) on January 29, 2018. | January 22, 2018-March 8, 2018 | | **Virginia** | 1\. [**HB758**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+sum+HB758) and [**SB802**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+sum+SB802) would **eliminate the death penalty for defendants with severe mental illness** 2\. [**HB762**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+ful+HB762) and [**SB772**](http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?181+ful+SB772) would **grant restitution for the [Norfolk Four](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/conditional-pardons-granted-for-three-of-norfolk-four)** | 1\. HB758 referred to Committee for Courts of Justice on January 9, 2018. SB802 referred to Committee for Courts of Justice on January 10, 2018. SB802 was passed by indefinitely on January 17, 2018, meaning that the committee may reconsider the bill at a later date. 2\. HB762 referred to Committee on Appropriations on January 9, 2018. SB772 referred to Committee on Finance on January 10, 2018. | January 10, 2018-March 10, 2018 | | **Washington\*** | 1\. 2017 legislative session bills **HB1935** and **SB5354** would **prospectively repeal the death penalty**. 2\. [**SB6052**](http://apps2.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=6052&Year=2017&BillNumber=6052&Year=2017) would **prospectively repeal the death penalty**. | 1\. **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**. The bill had a hearing, but no vote was taken during any of the 2017 legislative sessions and, by resolution, it was "reintroduced and retained in present status" on January 8, 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 any of the 2017 legislative sessions and, by resolution, it was "reintroduced and retained in present status" on January 8, 2017. 2\. **SB6052** was **[prefiled](http://lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2017-18/Pdf/Bills/Senate%20Bills/6052.pdf#page=1)** for introduction on December 22, 2017 and referred to the **Senate Law & Justice Committee** on January 8, 2018. A public hearing was conducted on January 22. The bill **PASSED THE SENATE** by a vote of 26-22 on February 14. The **House Judiciary Committee** held a hearing on the bill on February 20. The committee voted 7-6 on February 22 to **advance the bill** to the full House with a "do pass" recommendation. **NOTE:** On October 11, 2018, the Washington Supreme Court declared the state's death penalty statute unconstitutional, saying that it was applied in an arbitrary and racially discriminatory manner. | Regular Session: January 9, 2017-March 8, 2018 | | **Wyoming** | | | February 12, 2018-March 9, 2018 | | **Federal** | 1\. **[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. 2\. **[HR 4493](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/4493)/[S 2389](https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/senate-bill/2389)** ("Eric's Law") would **permit a second death-sentencing hearing** before a new jury in the event of a non-unanimous sentencing decision in the first death-penalty trial. | 1\. 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, 2017 by a vote of 19-12. The House of Representatives **PASSED** the bill by a vote of 271-143 on May 18, 2017. 2\. HR 4493 introduced in the House on November 30, 2017, referred to the Judiciary Committee. S. 2389 introduced on February 7, 2018. | January 3, 2017-October 30, 2018 |