Panel approves SB125 to expand wrongful-conviction compensation subject to appropriation

Senate Bill 125, which seeks to expand statutory compensation for people wrongfully convicted, was reported favorable by the committee on April 13 after sponsors won adoption of an amendment making payments subject to appropriation.

The sponsor told the committee the bill raises the qualifying imprisonment threshold from 10 years to 15 years and increases the cap that governs total compensation per individual (the sponsor described moving the cap from $400,000 to $640,000 under the bill’s framework). To address fiscal concerns, the sponsor offered Amendment 1966 to make awards subject to appropriation; the committee adopted that amendment without recorded opposition.

Committee members described the testimony of exonerees and urged careful movement of the bill, balancing compassion and fiscal constraints. The committee recorded the motion and reported SB125 favorable with amendments; no roll-call vote is recorded in the transcript.