HB359 Alabama 2020 Session

Sponsors

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Sentencing, to require a unanimous vote by jurors to recommend a sentence of death in capital murder cases, Sec. 13A-5-46 am'd.

Description

<p class="bill_description"> Under existing law, a sentence of death in a capital murder case must be based on a vote of at least 10 jurors</p><p class="bill_description"> This bill would require a unanimous vote by the jurors to recommend a sentence of death</p><p class="bill_description"> This bill would also make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style</p><p class="bill_description"> Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended, prohibits a general law whose purpose or effect would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds from becoming effective with regard to a local governmental entity without enactment by a 2/3 vote unless: it comes within one of a number of specified exceptions; it is approved by the affected entity; or the Legislature appropriates funds, or provides a local source of revenue, to the entity for the purpose</p><p class="bill_description"> The purpose or effect of this bill would be to require a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of the amendment</p><p class="bill_description"> However, the bill does not require approval of a local governmental entity or enactment by a 2/3 vote to become effective because it comes within one of the specified exceptions contained in the amendment</p><p class="bill_entitled_an_act"> Relating to sentencing; to amend Section 13A-5-46, Code of Alabama 1975, to require a unanimous vote of a jury to recommend a death sentence in a capital murder case; to make nonsubstantive, technical revisions to update the existing code language to current style; and in connection therewith would have as its purpose or effect the requirement of a new or increased expenditure of local funds within the meaning of Amendment 621 of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Section 111.05 of the Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended. </p>

Subjects

Capital Murder