Topeka ? The Senate Judiciary Committee is being urged to support a bill abolishing the Kansas death penalty law.

Opponents of the law testified before the committee Thursday. One argument was that the death penalty is a waste of money for the state at a time when it’s trying to find ways to cut spending because of the economy.

They also said there’s the risk of executing an innocent person.

The committee plans to conclude its hearing Friday, after taking testimony from supporters of the law. It may vote then on whether to send the repeal bill to the chamber for debate.

Kansas is among eight states where there are efforts to repeal the death penalty. The state has had the death penalty since 1994 and hasn’t executed anyone. Ten people are under sentence of death.