[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6125791,"mediaKeyId","2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5","parentId",2675536,"title","Panel gives do‑pass recommendation to bill shielding officers who disable drones near border","audioSeconds",662,"startMs",2926000,"endMs",3588000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5&start=2926&end=3588","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5/thumbnail_2926000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125791/Arizona/Panel-gives-dopass-recommendation-to-bill-shielding-officers-who-disable-drones-near-border","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125791-c1480fef75428f2f1dad2509551c14f1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575458&Signature=WOsLeV8kM2-1HNXdOCarcaIgJylzJe6O1hOazP8C70qM7qe0m30RZXL1833rGJU7-YBQDQz~EdI6J9jcGLvsOgxMYFwjIB6Gd7wsE~1K2jhwFk08wIMsrIC0UsZuoo9nj-fdyYAwV9cfJ~4rw-dGFdbD67oetQJ3Hi0NzYlGUkwn0hzpgA78hZG9~9g4RpivD6ku43k-X93tZyHNuMoHlNnmjJx~LYQx1C~GRzWtyy7vBwqD8~tVTbYN9oe8wAmt4XeZ0Wqgn8bcQr4uhCahM-tYEQ6ANtfNZCYZxd~Jl1dX~pBcbKXazC8imoYiOx2sUvz9zAO4uggUp~2mDl30DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Arizona Legislature","date","2025-03-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee voted to give House Bill 2733 a do‑pass recommendation after testimony that highlighted both law‑enforcement needs to counter cartel drone use and civil‑liberties concerns about journalist and researcher drones.

The bill’s text presented to the committee would immunize a public entity or employee from liability to an unmanned aircraft operator for damage to personal property caused by a peace officer intercepting, disabling, destroying or otherwise rendering inoperative an unmanned aircraft within 15 miles of the border if the officer has reasonable suspicion the aircraft is being used to commit organized crime, fraud, terrorism, a drug offense, or an imitation drug offense.

Why it matters: Supporters said the measure addresses a growing threat from criminal actors using unmanned aircraft systems to surveil or drop contraband across the border. Opponents, including the ACLU of Arizona, warned the statute could conflict with federal law and FAA authority, and could endanger legitimate drone uses including journalism, research and agriculture.

Barry Arons, speaking for the Trowler Association, said his group had withdrawn opposition after negotiating language with the attorney general’s office and that the bill “protects personal property in these cases” while preserving rights. The attorney general’s office testifiers, including Nick Deebus, said local and federal law enforcement have reported increased drone use by drug cartels and that state law should allow local officers to react.

Jean Woodbury of the ACLU of Arizona urged a no vote, citing FAA preemption and concerns about how “reasonable suspicion” would be applied. “It is a federal crime to shoot down an aircraft, and that includes unmanned aerial vehicles,” Woodbury told the committee, and she said the bill may create conflicting state and federal authority.

Robert Watkins, operations commander for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, told the committee the threat has evolved and urged lawmakers to consider national‑security implications. Watkins said local experience demonstrates both narcotics drops and potential violent uses of weaponized drones abroad, and he favored giving officers the discretion to act given the totality of the circumstances.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation: 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 not voting. Several committee members said they remained concerned about potential preemption by federal aviation law and asked for further refinement before floor action.

Implementation notes: Committee testimony did not specify operational protocols, training requirements, or reporting requirements for use of force against unmanned aircraft; the attorney general’s office and sheriff representatives said coordination with federal partners is typical in Border Patrol sectors.

Action: House Bill 2733 — Committee action: do-pass recommendation; committee tally 5 ayes, 1 nay, 1 not voting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","03/17/2025 - Senate Military Affairs and Border Security","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee recommended passage of House Bill 2733, which would shield public entities and employees from civil liability when a peace officer disables or destroys an unmanned aircraft within 15 miles of the border if the officer has reasonable suspicion the aircraft is being used for organized crime, drug offenses, terrorism or similar acts.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature Arizona, Arizona","taxId",78572,"location","Arizona","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125797,"Committee backs $50 million appropriation for local border enforcement grants",2805,63000,2868000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5&start=63&end=2868","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5/thumbnail_63000.jpg","/articles/6125797/Arizona/Committee-backs-50-million-appropriation-for-local-border-enforcement-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125797-d3cef66c909dfbed6ae616c41e2bc2c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575459&Signature=KfNElw1CqarNi~gvAzj9U2Da7Db96mkDnxb2kbYe2cxizwF41k9aKYN8U6HFsBI-3es7ik--4MrgwlBrEJrN6Ey86QxJFsyLoj7prO-WLhVk4HmvCRn-yrzA09K1XIxCyZoTW9EN4yrRw3PKzrj1H0ogbJe19bbeMniS0bTvzPyzrjEaYszpAaECEokRMXrXfmMnvM7brKrt6X8sjV1LrOM8tItpQJP7JR9zyhINKtvQ2vXfAMkQoiJAdryc1wtaNUIiwDrWHKzfrGK-nlUblQSLolG4jhL0u0h-~ydpoyN7Aj0~ekAOhI8AyCjFoOw0DycIb-rspOkcmfk0Y9jqSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee voted to give House Bill 2606 a do-pass recommendation after testimony from sheriffs, county officials and advocacy groups over the bill’s $50,000,000 appropriation to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The bill would direct $50 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026 to DPS to fund officer positions, capital equipment and grants to cities, towns and counties to cover costs associated with prosecuting and detaining individuals charged with “drug trafficking, human smuggling, illegal immigration, and other border related crimes,” according to committee testimony.

Why it matters: Supporters said the funding will offset costs local agencies already incur investigating and prosecuting cartel-related crimes, including fentanyl distribution and human trafficking. Opponents said the appropriation risks diverting scarce state dollars from health care, schools and other social services and could be used in ways that separate families.

Living United for Change in Arizona representative Jody Liggett, reading remarks from a Southern Arizonan identified as Johan, told the committee: “It is deeply disappointing to see house bill 26 0 6 proposed to spend $50,000,000 of our state tax dollars towards separating families, funds that could be used to increase access to health care for Arizonans and border communities.”

Hugo Polanco of Creosote Partners, testifying for Raza, described the appropriation as a “bounty” on immigrants and said the bill “weaponizes law enforcement to execute Trump era deportation orders,” testimony that drew an admonition from the chair for imputing intent to members of the Legislature.

Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes, president of the Arizona Sheriffs’ Association, said the funding originated as a Border Strike Force program and emphasized that the request is intended to fund state and local efforts against drugs, gun running, human trafficking and money laundering. “This bill does nothing to fund any type of immigration enforcement at all,” Rhodes said.

Robert Watkins, operations commander for the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office, described local impacts and statistics: since January 2023 Cochise County had seized roughly 9,804 pounds of fentanyl, compared with 12,000 pounds seized nationally in 2023, he said. Watkins told the committee Cochise has spent about $14,400,000 on incarcerating people for border‑related criminal offenses over the last three years and warned FEMA housing support is set to expire in June 2025.

Supporters, including Jen Marson of the Arizona Association of Counties, said the funding has previously been granted to county task forces and used for canine units, narcotics and human‑trafficking detectives, tactical units and inmate housing. Marson noted the governor’s budget previously proposed a smaller increase for the same funding mechanism.

Opponents and some committee members questioned whether the money would be spent on immigrant enforcement and whether the appropriation should be larger or targeted differently; supporters repeatedly framed the measure as a public‑safety and drug‑interdiction investment. The committee record shows both kinds of concerns aired during public and expert testimony.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation: 4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 not voting. The recommendation moves the bill to subsequent budget or floor consideration; the final appropriation and amount will be determined during budget negotiations.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 2606 — Committee action: do-pass recommendation; committee tally 4 ayes, 2 nays, 1 not voting.

Implementation: Committee testimony identified the Department of Public Safety as the implementing agency and described the funds as available for officer positions, capital equipment and grants for city, town and county costs tied to prosecution and detention for border‑related crimes.

Details omitted or not specified in testimony: the bill sponsor’s name was not recorded in the committee public testimony included in the transcript; specific grant formulas, application criteria and any sunset or reporting requirements were not specified during the hearing.","A Senate committee gave House Bill 2606 a do-pass recommendation to appropriate $50 million to the Department of Public Safety for officer positions, equipment and grants to cities, towns and counties to address drug trafficking, human smuggling and related border crimes. Advocates and sheriffs sharply disagreed on priorities and impacts.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125786,"Committee advances $500,000 grant program for veteran nonprofits in smaller counties",134,3610000,3744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5&start=3610&end=3744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2675536-8b6aab4d08b3c49db30722ac56ecc7c5/thumbnail_3610000.jpg","/articles/6125786/Arizona/Committee-advances-500000-grant-program-for-veteran-nonprofits-in-smaller-counties","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125786-55519b93d5c78e306329f1330d499c47/orig.mp4?Expires=1773575458&Signature=Ju26eKIH~Lfzk6XwnlT5n4YmXyTEhueALiiWQN2p6Np03RJE0~4NXDg5BlP0DsvCdMO960nr~yLLNA2xvtdrsOwA9En~-SsRbM3dhWyatdFQCP85r2mdwcnsLQTN-5mYFMYuEOzZJnelNNQ4CeJ0WaJGQTc77-tjJl9r1nTCph6aiH2s8qrQP5dJeqAP9~neWnjo~Ge341XO2w4pFImGYqNixzebyhQCxGPNCc6iEb503VzkWXBNyZbaK-ktwDCyBAXJkebRTBBZope8SI5SRJBun3Ud~h3T3snXBq9tztk-i0wHdWY3RxK0BSq9SByTkOqxbMPcdwABTC76fGmRpQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Military Affairs and Border Security Committee gave House Bill 2933 a do‑pass recommendation. The bill would appropriate $500,000 from the state general fund in fiscal year 2026 to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs for competitive grants to nonprofit veterans organizations that assist in securing housing or employment benefits and are located in counties with populations under 500,000.

Sponsor testimony described the grants as intended to support veterans’ re‑entry services, counseling, job‑readiness programs and short‑term housing services in smaller counties across the state. The sponsor identified one facility in Casa Grande that provides up to 30 beds and separate men’s and women’s quarters as an example of a potential grant recipient.

A committee member asked whether the bill’s county threshold (counties with fewer than 500,000 residents) would exclude Pinal County; the sponsor and committee clarified the language would generally exclude only the state’s largest counties (Maricopa and Pima) and include counties under the stated population threshold.

The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation with a recorded vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays and 1 not voting. There were no public opponents on the record during the committee hearing.

Implementation: The Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs would administer competitive grants to nonprofit veterans organizations located in counties with populations under 500,000. The bill exempts the appropriation from lapsing until July 1, 2027, according to testimony.","House Bill 2933 would appropriate $500,000 to the Arizona Department of Veterans’ Affairs for competitive grants to nonprofit organizations helping veterans secure housing or employment in counties with populations under 500,000. The committee gave the bill a do‑pass recommendation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Panel gives do‑pass recommendation to bill shielding officers who disable drones near border

Committee backs $50 million appropriation for local border enforcement grants

Committee advances $500,000 grant program for veteran nonprofits in smaller counties