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FLORIDA - Amid growing concerns over the availability of lethal injection drugs, Florida lawmakers are advancing new legislation that would allow for broader execution methods for death row inmates.
Senate Bill 1604, filed by Sen. Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers), and its companion, House Bill 903, introduced by Rep. Berny Jacques (R-Largo), aim to safeguard Florida’s ability to enforce capital punishment if traditional methods like electrocution or lethal injection are ever ruled unconstitutional or become unfeasible due to drug shortages.
Pentobarbital, a key drug used in lethal injections, has become increasingly difficult for states to obtain, leading several to explore alternative execution protocols.
The Florida legislation would permit the Department of Corrections to carry out executions by any method not deemed unconstitutional, providing flexibility should current methods become unavailable.
Martin told local media that the bill is designed to ensure the state can follow through on death sentences as required by law.
Jacques echoed that view, stating that the purpose of his bill is to allow lawful executions to proceed without delay while prioritizing public safety.
Though Florida’s proposed legislation doesn’t specify which alternatives may be used, several other states already permit methods like nitrogen gas and firing squads.
For example, South Carolina recently executed inmate Brad Sigmon by firing squad — the first such execution in the U.S. in over 15 years.
Lethal injection remains the most common method of execution nationwide, accounting for over 1,400 executions since 1976, while electrocution ranks second with 163.
Florida’s legislation signals a growing trend among states to keep capital punishment operational despite legal or logistical hurdles.