SB12 Alabama 2017 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2017

Title

Capital defendants, execution of, elect to include by firing squad, Secs. 15-18-82, 15-18-82.1 am'd.

Summary

SB12 would let Alabama death-row inmates choose to be executed by firing squad in addition to existing methods.

What This Bill Does

The bill adds firing squad as an execution option and requires the inmate to elect this method (in writing) within a set time after the death judgment. If electrocution or firing squad are found unconstitutional, the method would default to lethal injection. Executions using firing squad would take place at the Holman unit in Atmore, carried out by a five-person firing squad of law enforcement officers under department policies, with the warden as the executioner (or a deputy or designee for lethal injection). The bill also clarifies election rules and allows changes to the method if constitutional challenges arise, while limiting any increase in punishment and permitting certain medical and administrative provisions related to lethal injection.

Who It Affects

• Death-row inmates in Alabama (capital defendants) would have a new, one-time option to elect firing squad as their method of execution, with specific written deadline requirements after a death sentence is affirmed.
• The Alabama Department of Corrections and law enforcement officers who conduct executions (including the Holman unit staff, the warden as executioner, and the five-person firing squad) would implement and oversee the firing squad method according to new policies.

Key Provisions

• Adds firing squad as a legally selectable method of execution for death sentences, alongside lethal injection and electrocution.
• Establishes an election process: each death-sentenced person has one opportunity to elect electrocution or firing squad, by submitting a written election to the warden within 30 days after the judgment is affirmed; special rules apply if an execution warrant is pending or issued within certain timeframes.
• Specifies execution logistics for firing squad: to be carried out at the William C. Holman unit in Atmore by a five-person firing squad of law enforcement officers, under department policies; the warden or deputy acts as the executioner for firing squad.
• If a method (electrocution, firing squad, or lethal injection) is ruled unconstitutional, death sentences may be carried out by any constitutional method, and the method-change provisions do not increase punishment.
• Allows designatedCorrections personnel to handle lethal-injection medications and administration without it being considered the practice of medicine, nursing, or pharmacy; and the Department's policies on executions are exempt from certain administrative procedures.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Execution