We have some drama brewing in the House...
Rep. Romero-Martinez has attached extensive death penalty repeal language to Sen. Lynn Hutchings' Homicide Amendments bill. wyoleg.gov/2021/Amends/SF…
Rep. Jennings is calling a rules committee to decide whether it's germane or not.
Rep. Romero-Martinez has attached extensive death penalty repeal language to Sen. Lynn Hutchings' Homicide Amendments bill. wyoleg.gov/2021/Amends/SF…
Rep. Jennings is calling a rules committee to decide whether it's germane or not.
This is a third reading amendment, so if it passes, the House will have overstepped the Senate on death penalty repeal. They killed it pretty soundly on that side of the building.
They could vote not to concur, but that possibly creates challenges for the rest of the bill.
They could vote not to concur, but that possibly creates challenges for the rest of the bill.
Making this even MORE interesting is the fact Romero-Martinez's name is on the bill as a co-sponsor.
So he could very well be trying to tank a bill he co-sponsored in an attempt to repeal Wyoming's death penalty.
So he could very well be trying to tank a bill he co-sponsored in an attempt to repeal Wyoming's death penalty.
Speaker Barlow has ruled that the amendment is not germane to the bill. Romero-Martinez will object to that ruling, and this will now go to debate.
Watch here:
Watch here:
Zwonitzer believes it is germane, and that any time we bring in a punishment in relation to a crime, it is relevant to the bill.
This bill would amend the homicide statutes (about unborn children), but the death penalty is only a punishment for homicide here, so...
This bill would amend the homicide statutes (about unborn children), but the death penalty is only a punishment for homicide here, so...
Gray arguing that this is a common sense thing, a surprise, and that repealing the death penalty is a completely different topic than double-charging a murderer if his victim was a pregnant woman.
Olsen makes the point that this bill -- while creating a new penalty -- actually amends existing language in state statute regarding homicides... which has always included language outlining death as a punishment.
Right here in Section 6-2-101 law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/…
Right here in Section 6-2-101 law.justia.com/codes/wyoming/…
Rep. Washut speaking out against the process this is being brought. Said that we had one population of citizens testify on this bill who may not have testified on death penalty.
Said that should be the test.
Said that should be the test.
Rep. Sommers adds this amendment has greatly altered the original intention of the bill in violation of the Wyoming constitution. Says he's opposed.
Rep. Rodriguez-Williams is on a similar page.
Rep. Rodriguez-Williams is on a similar page.
Greear calls this a "significant" policy issue that deserves its own standalone debate where all residents of Wyoming are allowed to testify... not something to be passed in an amendment 7/8ths of the way through the process.
Cathy Connolly says this amendment has brought her from a hard "no" to a "yes" vote on this bill. (Advocates for choice were against this because they saw it as a slippery slope toward defining unviable fetuses as people in statute.)
Romero-Martinez's amendment has been ruled... not germane to the bill.
20 aye, 39 no, 1 excused.
The amendment has been withdrawn and Romero-Martinez urges 'aye' on the bill.
20 aye, 39 no, 1 excused.
The amendment has been withdrawn and Romero-Martinez urges 'aye' on the bill.
Homicide Amendments advances 50-9. On to concurrence and then to Gov. Mark Gordon's desk.
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