03/06/1996 01:30 PM Senate JUD

                   SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE                                  
                         March 6, 1996                                         
                           1:30 p.m.                                           
                                                                               
  MEMBERS PRESENT                                                              
                                                                               
 Senator Robin Taylor, Chairman                                                
 Senator Lyda Green, Vice-Chairman                                             
 Senator Mike Miller                                                           
 Senator Al Adams                                                              
                                                                               
  MEMBERS ABSENT                                                               
                                                                               
 Senator Johnny Ellis                                                          
                                                                               
  COMMITTEE CALENDAR                                                           
                                                                               
 SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE BILL NO. 52                                     
 "An Act authorizing capital punishment, classifying murder in the             
 first degree as a capital felony, and establishing sentencing                 
 procedures for capital felonies; authorizing an advisory vote on              
 instituting capital punishment; and providing for an effective                
 date."                                                                        
                                                                               
  PREVIOUS SENATE COMMITTEE ACTION                                             
                                                                               
 SSSB 52 - See Judiciary minutes dated 2/7/96.                                 
                                                                               
    ACTION NARRATIVE                                                           
                                                                               
 TAPE 96-19, SIDE A                                                            
 Number 001                                                                    
             SB  52 CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR MURDER                             
                                                                              
  CHAIRMAN ROBIN TAYLOR  called the Judiciary Committee meeting to             
 order at 1:34 p.m.  All members were present except Senator Ellis.            
 The matter of business before the committee was SSSB 52.                      
                                                                               
 SENATOR MILLER moved CSSSSB 52 out of committee with individual               
 recommendations.  SENATOR ADAMS objected.                                     
                                                                               
 SENATOR ADAMS directed his objection to the fact that the advisory            
 vote does not contain a second option to vote for an alternative              
 sentence of 99 years plus restitution.  Additionally, the committee           
 has not studied the cost of an execution in Alaska, which is                  
 estimated at $5 million by other states.  He believed the bill                
 promotes vengeance rather than justice.                                       
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR referred to handouts provided to committee members             
 and noted he was surprised by the difference in the cost of an                
 execution in North Carolina, Texas, California and Florida.  The              
 amounts range from $2.3 million to $18 million.                               
                                                                               
 SENATOR ADAMS offered to provide the committee with witnesses to              
 explain the information included in the handouts.                             
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR asked for further comment on the motion.  There                
 being none, the motion carried with Senators Miller, Green and                
 Taylor voting "yea," and Senator Adams voting "nay."                          
                                                                               
 SENATOR TAYLOR adjourned the meeting at 1:37 p.m.