House approves bill giving law enforcement employees advance notice in investigations

The Arizona House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 1060 on third reading Tuesday, advancing a measure lawmakers said provides specified procedural protections to law enforcement and other public safety employees during employment-related investigations.

Supporters argued the bill reinforces basic due-process protections for public-sector employees while critics said it could limit transparency in specific cases. Representative Collin, in an explanation of vote on the floor, called it “a wonderful bill,” saying law enforcement employees “deserve due process” and should have the ability “to confront the evidence against them” and access counsel. Representative Volk also framed the measure as “about giving advanced notice about the reasons for an investigation,” and said protections for public safety workers are consistent with due-process principles.

Opponents raised concerns about specific incidents and community trust. Representative Abatea, explaining her no vote, cited a local police shooting and said families affected by that incident had not received video footage; she said that lack of disclosure shaped her decision and concluded, “I will be voting no.”

The clerk recorded the final tally as 38 ayes, 20 nays, and 2 not voting; the journal entry notes the bill was passed in open session and the action will be conveyed back to the Senate. Several members used the permitted floor explanations of vote to state their reasoning before the clerk recorded the roll.

The transcript shows limited floor debate beyond members’ explanations of their votes. The bill’s text and specific statutory amendments were announced to the chamber at third reading; the House proceeded to a roll-call vote after the bell. The clerk and presiding officer completed the procedural steps required to transmit the enacted measure to the Senate.