Public Safety Committee advances seven bills, including military vehicle-tax refund and left‑lane slow driving fine

The Arizona House Committee on Public Safety on March 3 advanced seven pieces of legislation and one concurrent memorial, voting to give most a "due pass" recommendation and forwarding them for further consideration.

The committee approved measures ranging from a vehicle license‑tax exemption and retroactive refund for certain active‑duty service members to a bill that creates a new civil penalty for driving below the normal speed of traffic in the left lane on two‑lane interstates. Committee members also approved an opt‑in notation in Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) records to flag communication accommodations for drivers or vehicle occupants and moved forward bills streamlining electronic powers of attorney for total‑loss vehicle settlements, accelerating funding for widening a stretch of I‑10, and a memorial to name a bridge in Cameron.

Why it matters: the bills affect a mix of public‑safety procedures, roadway enforcement and signage, interactions between law enforcement and people with disabilities, transportation funding and project timing, and vehicle‑title processes that insurers and salvage agents use. Several measures passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous committee support; one—banning solicitation or congregation on medians and traffic islands—drew constitutional and civil‑liberties objections and a split committee vote.

Military vehicle tax exemption, refunds (HB 2009) House Bill 2009 would add to the existing vehicle license‑tax (VLT) exemption a member of the U.S. armed forces who has valid orders and is within 30 days of deployment, and it would allow an eligible member who paid VLT and registration while on active duty to apply for a refund for up to six months retroactive to the bill’s effective date. The measure’s sponsor described constituent cases of deployed service members who could not process refunds while out of state and said the bill also covers spouses. The sponsor said there was ‘‘a little pushback’’ on covering spouses but argued for the change on grounds of support for military families.

The committee moved HB 2009 with a due‑pass recommendation. The roll call recorded 6 ayes and 0 nays.

Left‑lane slow driving fine and signage (HB 22‑35) House Bill 22‑35 creates a civil penalty for a driver who remains in the left lane on a multi‑lane interstate where their speed is materially below normal traffic and who fails to move right when appropriate. The bill, as presented by state Representative Teresa Martinez of LD 16, originally proposed a $500 fine but was amended in committee to $200. Martinez said the measure applies only to interstates with two lanes (not three‑lane stretches) and directs ADOT and local authorities to place prescribed signage warning drivers of the civil penalty on applicable portions of specified interstates; she told the committee ADOT estimated a one‑time sign‑installation cost of about $140,000.

Representative Teresa Martinez said the bill targets congestion caused when higher volumes of traffic meet two‑lane freeway sections and argued the signage piece is important even apart from the fine. Martinez also noted she removed I‑17 at ADOT’s recommendation and limited the measure to two‑lane interstates; she listed I‑10 (segments including Casa Grande–Chandler), I‑8, I‑19, I‑15 and I‑40 as potential applicable routes.

The committee gave HB 22‑35 a due‑pass recommendation by voice and roll call; the recorded vote was 6 ayes and 0 nays.

Opt‑in law‑enforcement notation for communication accommodations (HB 23‑30) House Bill 23‑30 would let a person request ADOT to note on their customer or vehicle record that the person or an occupant may need a communication accommodation; the notation would be opt‑in and accessible only to law enforcement. Representative Willoughby (sponsor) and supporters described the change as an informational tool that helps officers de‑escalate and communicate effectively with people who are deaf, hard of hearing, autistic, or otherwise neurodivergent.

John Thomas, representing the Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, told the committee the measure had unanimous House approval (60‑0) and that law enforcement worked with advocates on the language. Autumn Timmons, president and co‑founder of Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance, described how her 18‑year‑old son, who is on the autism spectrum, can become nonverbal or disoriented during a traffic stop. Chris Timmons, a 26‑year law‑enforcement veteran and co‑founder of the nonprofit, testified that the notation would provide officers one key data point that can change how they approach a stop.

The committee approved HB 23‑30 with a due‑pass recommendation; the roll call recorded 6 ayes, 0 noes and 1 not voting.

Electronic powers of attorney for total‑loss insurance settlements (HB 23‑03, amended) House Bill 23‑03 allows an insurer’s authorized agent to execute a power of attorney related to a total‑loss settlement electronically without notarization if submitted to ADOT using a commercial identity‑assurance product that meets or exceeds NIST Level 2 and does not require biometrics. The measure includes a four‑page amendment (dated March 3, 05:55 p.m.) clarifying acceptance of out‑of‑state repossession affidavits in specific lienholder circumstances and providing liability protections for state agencies that rely on such affidavits.

Carrie Hayden, representing Copart Incorporated (a global auto auction and salvage firm), described prior statutory changes and said the proposal avoids biometric identity checks while allowing faster electronic processing of odometer statements and titles following a total loss.

The committee adopted the amendment and gave HB 23‑03 a due‑pass‑as‑amended recommendation; roll call was 6 ayes, 0 nays and 1 not voting.

I‑10 widening and accelerated funding (HB 21‑92) House Bill 21‑92 accelerates appropriations for design and construction of additional lanes on a roughly 10‑mile stretch of Interstate 10 between State Route 85 and Citrus Road. The sponsor explained the measure shifts $40,000,000 into FY 2026 (instead of $30,000,000 in FY 2027) and increases another FY 2027 appropriation to $93,000,000 (instead of $78,000,000 in FY 2027 or FY 2028, as earlier scheduled), and it directs ADOT to use a plus‑A/B procurement method to speed completion. Local officials from Buckeye and the West Valley said the project is shovel‑ready, cited rising cost estimates, and said aligning the widening with other local work (including a Jackrabbit Trail TI project) could create savings and avoid repeated lane closures.

The committee gave HB 21‑92 a due‑pass recommendation by roll call (6 ayes, 0 nays).

Prohibition on soliciting or congregating on medians and traffic islands (HB 26‑84) House Bill 26‑84 would bar pedestrians from congregating or soliciting on painted or raised traffic islands or medians on exit/entrance ramps of controlled‑access highways, or otherwise in locations described in the bill as “unsafe” where no sidewalk or safe corridor exists. The bill directs that the first violation receive a warning, the second become a civil traffic violation, and a third or subsequent violation be a class 1 misdemeanor.

The measure drew sustained opposition from speakers who urged the committee to consider constitutional and public‑health consequences. Elena Richards, a University of Arizona public‑health student, said the bill’s language conflates congregation and solicitation and could criminalize everyday activities in places lacking sidewalks. Harrison Redmond of the ACLU of Arizona testified that courts have repeatedly struck down similar bans on medians and argued HB 26‑84 is likely a content‑based restriction that would not survive strict scrutiny; he said the bill would disproportionately harm people experiencing homelessness. Hugo Polanco of Creosote Partners representing Rural Arizona Action said the bill would be particularly harmful in rural towns with limited services and could block long‑standing community activities such as local fundraisers.

Committee members split on the measure. The roll call recorded 4 ayes, 2 nays and 1 not voting, and the committee issued a due‑pass recommendation.

Bridge naming memorial (HCM 2006) House Concurrent Memorial 2006 asks state and federal geographic‑names boards to name a bridge in Cameron, Arizona, the Jimmy Preston Memorial Bridge and to approve and maintain appropriate signage. The committee gave HCM 2006 a due‑pass recommendation (roll call: 6 ayes, 0 nays, 1 not voting).

Votes at a glance - HB 2009 (vehicle‑license tax exemption for certain active‑duty members; retroactive refunds up to 6 months): due pass; recorded vote 6‑0. - HB 22‑35 (left‑lane slow driving civil penalty; signage; $200 fine after amendment): due pass; recorded vote 6‑0. Applies only to two‑lane interstate segments; ADOT estimated a one‑time signage cost ~ $140,000. - HB 23‑30 (MVD opt‑in notation for communication accommodations; law enforcement access only): due pass; recorded vote 6‑0 with 1 not voting. - HB 23‑03 (electronic POA for total‑loss settlements; NIST Level 2 identity assurance without biometrics; amended): due pass as amended; recorded vote 6‑0 with 1 not voting. - HB 21‑92 (accelerate I‑10 lane funding; procurement using A+B; shifts $40M into FY2026 and increases FY2027 appropriation to $93M): due pass; recorded vote 6‑0. - HB 26‑84 (prohibit congregation/solicitation on medians/traffic islands; graduated penalties): due pass; recorded vote 4‑2‑1 (ayes‑nays‑not voting); drew constitutional and civil‑liberties opposition. - HCM 2006 (Jimmy Preston Memorial Bridge, Cameron): due pass; recorded vote 6‑0 with 1 not voting.

What’s next: due‑pass recommendations send bills to the next committee or to the floor depending on legislative rules. Several sponsors and community representatives urged quick floor or budget scheduling, particularly for the I‑10 widening and the electronic‑signature cleanup measure.

Selected direct testimony and committee exchanges "He may become nonverbal. He will forget his name," Autumn Timmons, president and co‑founder of Preston’s Pursuit for Acceptance, said of her adult son during testimony on HB 23‑30, urging the committee to approve the law‑enforcement notation. Chris Timmons, a 26‑year law‑enforcement veteran and co‑founder of the same nonprofit, told members: "This communication accommodation... will save careers and save lives." Representative Teresa Martinez said of HB 22‑35: "There are 2 portions to this bill — it is the fee and the signs. I do think that the signs are very, very important." Harrison Redmond of the ACLU warned the committee that HB 26‑84 "is an unconstitutional overreach" and argued courts have struck down similar median bans.

Funding and implementation notes - HB 21‑92 contains line‑item appropriations for ADOT and an instruction to use accelerated construction procurement methods (A+B). Local officials told the committee MAG and the City of Buckeye plan local contributions of roughly $10M and $13M respectively and described the project as shovel‑ready. - HB 23‑03’s amendment (4 pages, March 3, 05:55 p.m.) clarifies acceptance of out‑of‑state repossession affidavits for non‑Arizona‑licensed lienholders and includes liability protections for state employees relying on such affidavits.

Committee context The committee hearing included sponsors, municipal and industry witnesses, disability advocates, law‑enforcement representatives, and civil‑liberties organizations. Several bills passed with unanimous committee support; HB 26‑84 was more contested and produced a split roll call. The committee adjourned shortly after the final action.

Ending The measures advanced by the committee will proceed in the legislative process according to chamber rules; some carry budget implications that sponsors said they want expedited. Additional committee or floor debate could follow as the bills move toward final votes.