Bill Caption

Relating to annuity payments to surviving spouses and designated beneficiaries of persons wrongfully imprisoned.

Fiscal Notes

No fiscal implication anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 638 would provide several alternative annuity payment options that an individual entitled to compensation could choose from, which would be payable throughout the life of the claimant in a reduced amount. This would also allow the claimant's spouse or designated beneficiary to continue to receive annuity payments after the claimant's death. The bill terminates annuity payments to a claimant's spouse or designated beneficiary if the spouse or designated beneficiary is convicted of a crime punishable as a felony after the date the spouse or designated beneficiary begins receiving annuity payments.

Vote Recommendation Notes

We support restorative efforts on behalf of the wrongfully convicted and their families. The long term economic impacts to both the wrongfully convicted and their families is not something that can be wholly undone but can be somewhat mitigated through financial assistance. This bill, however, simply adds options for the form of payment of an annuity. In our view this is likely sound policy but is mainly administrative in nature, therefore there is no discernible connection to our liberty principles. On that basis we are neutral on HB 638.