TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A key state senator says a bill shortening the time for the Kansas Supreme Court to rule on death penalty appeals is necessary to expedite justice.

Such appeals are automatic under Kansas law. The Senate opened debate Wednesday on legislation creating a 3½-year time limit for the appeals to be heard and decided by the court. The measure would not affect any subsequent appeals, including those made to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Senate Vice President Jeff King said the average death penalty appeal has taken nearly 10 years to be heard by the state Supreme Court, statistic he calls unacceptable.

Kansas enacted capital punishment in 1994 but has yet to carry out an execution. Nine men are under death sentences in state prisons.