FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5549

                                  C 286 L 87

BYSenators Stratton, Pullen, Rasmussen and Deccio; by request of Department of Corrections

Providing for the setting of execution dates.

Senate Committee on Human Services & Corrections

House Committe on Health Care

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Currently, a defendant sentenced to death must be returned to the trial court from the correctional facility each time an execution date is set.  The judicial process allows defendants various appeals, therefore execution dates may change depending on the results of appeals.

The Department of Corrections is concerned that the trips to the trial court pose a security risk to the public.  Each trip costs an average of $1,750.

SUMMARY:

The defendant is present at the first trial court hearing to set the execution date.  If execution dates are reset, defendant will not be transported back to the trial court.

This does not affect the individual's right to counsel at the trial court hearing on reissuance of the death warrant.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    49     0

      House 97   0 (House amended)

      Senate             (Senate refused to concur)

      House 94   3 (House receded)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987