SB 786 – Requires the State Auditor to audit and compare the costs of death penalty cases and first-degree murder cases in which the death penalty is not sought

• Sponsor: Keaveny
• LR Number: 5508S.03I
• Committee: Governmental Accountability
• Last Action: 3/7/2012 - SCS Voted Do Pass S Governmental Accountability Committee - (5508S.05C)
• Effective Date: August 28, 2012

Current Bill Summary

SCS/SB 786 - This act requires the state auditor to make a one-time report on the costs of administering the death penalty. As part of the report, the auditor must compare the costs estimated by the auditor to be related to cases in which the death penalty is sought and is imposed to the costs for cases in which the death penalty is not sought and the defendant is sentenced to life without parole and cases in which the death penalty is sought, but not imposed.

The results must be reported to the Governor, General Assembly, and the Missouri Supreme Court by June 30, 2014.

Any person who fails within 60 days to comply with a request of the auditor under this act is subject to a penalty, to be determined by the auditor, of up to $500 for each day of non-compliance. The Department of Revenue must collect the penalty and deposit it into the state treasury to the credit of the general revenue fund.

MEGHAN LUECKE