A bill that would impose a two-year moratorium on the death penalty and appoint a commission to study the state’s capital murder law was placed Monday before the Legislature.

The measure was introduced on behalf of death penalty opponents during a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Judiciary Chairman Sen. John Vratil, R-Leawood, said he didn’t know when a hearing would be scheduled on the measure.

Vratil said some lawmakers have expressed concern about the cost of death penalty trials.

“It’s a concern to legislators,” he said. Death penalty cases are costing the state about $1 million each to provide counsel for indigent defendants.

Meanwhile, the cost of prosecuting the cases also is straining local budgets.

Douglas County taxpayers could spend more than $1 million to try Damien Lewis, who is accused in last year’s slaying in Lawrence of George “Pete” Wallace and Wyona Chandlee.

The measure before the judiciary committee would prohibit for two years any executions or sentences of death.

A death penalty study commission would be formed to analyze the state’s death penalty, which was instituted in 1994.

The commission would consider:

— Whether the race of the victim or defendant plays a role in bringing capital murder charges;

¢ Capital case tab could top $1 million¢ Recent death penalty stories¢ Stories about the double slaying of a Lawrence couple¢ Kansas Coalition Against the Death Penalty¢ The Death Penalty: A Kansan’s Guide (Amnesty International)

— Whether there are disparities across the state in the way capital murder cases are handled;

— What are the total costs to the state and local governments for capital murder cases;

— Whether changes are needed in the law to ensure that no innocent person is condemned.

The seven-member study commission would be appointed by Kansas Supreme Court Chief Justice Kay McFarland, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and legislative leaders. The commission would provide recommendations to next year’s Legislature.