Topeka ? A Senate committee has shelved a bill that would abolish the death penalty in Kansas.

The Judiciary Committee voted Wednesday to send the bill to an interim study committee rather than advancing it to the chamber floor for debate.

The bill would bar new death sentences after July 1. It would not have affected the 10 state inmates already awaiting execution.

Supporters said repealing the death penalty law would save the state money when it’s trying to cut spending.

Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, an Independence Republican who supports the death penalty, said more study is needed on the issue.