Committee unanimously advances bill making lending a vehicle to interlock‑restricted drivers a felony when it causes serious injury or death

The Arizona House Judiciary Committee unanimously returned House Bill 2,800 with a due‑pass recommendation after emotional testimony from family members of a man killed by a driver who reportedly was avoiding an ignition‑interlock requirement.

Sponsor Representative Kevin Volk described the bill as a targeted measure to close a loophole: current law makes it a misdemeanor to knowingly rent, lease or lend a vehicle to someone restricted from driving, but HB 2,800 increases the offense to a class‑6 felony where that lending leads to a collision causing serious injury or death. Victim statements from Barbara McClain and Anne Celoza recounted the November 2024 death of John McClain and urged lawmakers to ensure interlock protections remain meaningful.

Laurel Petzis of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) told the committee ignition interlocks have prevented tens of thousands of attempts to drive impaired in Arizona and said the bill would deter people from enabling restricted drivers. Committee members debated carve‑outs for emergencies and whether the bill would chill benign acts of assistance; staff and members noted existing statutory language that excludes substantial emergencies.

The committee recorded a unanimous 9‑0 vote in favor; sponsors said existing misdemeanor language is retained and the felony enhancement applies only when an accident results in serious injury or death and the lender knowingly provided the vehicle to a restricted driver. The bill moves next to the House floor.