SB272 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Trip Pittman

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Capital defendant, execution of, elect to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia if lethal injection is unavailable, Secs. 15-18-82, 15-18-82.1 am'd.

Summary

Alabama SB 272 adds nitrogen hypoxia as a new execution method and lets death-row inmates elect to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia if lethal injection is unavailable.

What This Bill Does

The bill maintains lethal injection as the default method but allows a capital defendant to elect nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution. It requires the Department of Corrections to provide the necessary facilities and designates the warden (or a deputy) as the executioner. It sets rules for how and when a defendant can make the election and covers what happens if some methods are found unconstitutional or unavailable.

Who It Affects

• Capital defendants sentenced to death who may elect to be executed by nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution instead of just lethal injection.
• The Alabama Department of Corrections and its staff (including the Holman unit warden and other execution personnel) who carry out executions and manage the required facilities and procedures.

Key Provisions

• Adds nitrogen hypoxia as an execution method that can be used if lethal injection is unavailable.
• Allows death-row inmates to elect either nitrogen hypoxia or electrocution by a written, timely election after judgment.
• Requires the Department of Corrections to provide the necessary room, facilities, and personnel (warden or designated deputy) to carry out executions; designates who may administer lethal injection if chosen.
• If all methods (electrocution, nitrogen hypoxia, lethal injection) are found unconstitutional, the Commissioner may select any constitutional method of execution.
• Protects that the change does not increase punishment and includes liability and related procedural protections; specifies the act's effective date as 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