House Resolution 1078

Committee Chair: Ben Harbin

Committee:Appropriations

House Sponsor: Steve Tumlin

Chairman Harbin’s opinion of the legislation:

Willie Otis “Pete” Williams was incarcerated for 21 years and 9 months and absolved of the charges after DNA testing proved his innocence. This resolution seeks to compensate Mr. Williams for lost wages during his incarceration. Mr. Williams will be compensated $1.2 million that will be paid from funds appropriated to the Department of Administrative Services.  He will receive an initial lump sum of $100,000; remaining funds will be distributed through an annuity.  These funds will be exempt from state taxes, but are subject to federal taxes.

This resolution comes to the House Floor under the Structured Rule. There is a Rules Substitute which provides that if Mr. Williams is subsequently convicted of a felony, he will forfeit the rights to any remaining balance.

Further Action

The Senate made a stylistic change. The House agreed.