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A 8929

Relates to convictions under the felony murder rule; repealer

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Robert Carroll and 4 co-sponsors

A 8929 would tighten felony murder convictions and repeal related provisions, altering liability for deaths during felonies and affecting prosecutors and defendants.

REFERRED TO CODES
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · A 8929

Bill Summary: A 8929 — Relates to convictions under the felony murder rule; repealer

Quick Facts

  • Bill Number: A 8929
  • Title: Relates to convictions under the felony murder rule; repealer
  • Status: REFERRED TO CODES
  • Introduced: July 16, 2025
  • Classification: bill
  • Legislative Actions:
    • 2025-07-16: REFERRED TO CODES (listed twice)
  • Sponsors:
    • Primary: Robert C. Carroll
    • Cosponsors: Jo Anne Simon, Dana Levenberg, Phara Souffrant Forrest, Harvey Epstein
  • Related Bills:
    • A 2899 (prior-session)
    • S 8464 (companion)

Purpose and Intent

The bill’s title indicates it would address convictions arising under the felony murder rule and includes a repealer. While the full text is not provided here, the language suggests two core aims:
- Clarify, modify, or limit how the felony murder rule can lead to convictions.
- Repeal certain provisions related to the felony murder rule that are currently in law.

Felony murder rules generally hold a defendant criminally liable for murder when a death occurs during the commission or attempted commission of a specified felony, regardless of intent to kill. A 8929 appears to seek changes to how such convictions are pursued or structured, and to repeal specific related provisions.

Key Provisions (as indicated by the title)

  • Modifications to convictions under the felony murder rule: The bill would alter the framework or standards by which felony murder convictions are obtained or upheld.
  • Repealer: The bill would repeal one or more existing provisions tied to the felony murder rule. The exact sections to be repealed would be specified in the bill’s text.

Note: The exact language and operative details would be in the bill text; this summary reflects the scope indicated by the title and introduction.

Who/What Would Be Affected

  • Defendants facing or potential to face felony murder convictions could be directly affected, depending on the specific changes to the rule and the repealed provisions.
  • Prosecutors and defense attorneys would need to adjust charging strategies, trial arguments, and appellate considerations based on any revised standards.
  • The broader criminal-justice landscape in cases involving deaths during felonies could be impacted if the rule’s application is narrowed or otherwise altered.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduced on July 16, 2025.
  • Referrals: Referred to the Codes committee (listed twice in the actions, which may reflect a clerical duplication).
  • Status in committee: Currently under consideration by the Codes committee; no floor consideration or passage date provided.

Related and Companion Legislation

  • A 2899 (prior-session) suggests this topic has been considered before.
  • S 8464 (companion) indicates a Senate counterpart to this bill, underscoring cross-chamber interest in reform of the felony murder rule.

Potential Impact and Next Steps

  • If enacted, the bill could recalibrate criminal liability in cases involving felony murder, potentially reducing or reshaping convictions or altering the scope of repealed provisions.
  • The bill will move through legislative processes, including committee hearings and potential amendments, before any floor vote.
  • Interested readers may wish to compare A 8929 with A 2899 and S 8464 to understand converging or diverging approaches across chambers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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