Capitol Media Services
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Without comment the Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a measure to expand the crime of trespass to include people standing on or near public streets looking for work.
Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, acknowledged his measure is aimed at “day laborers,’’ people who congregate near home improvement stores in hopes of getting hired for odd jobs.
But Kavanagh said his measure is not specifically aimed at illegal immigrants. He said HB 2412 is a public safety measure, noting that people could be arrested only if they disrupt vehicle or pedestrian traffic while soliciting employment.
The measure, which already has been approved by the House, still needs a final roll-call vote before going to Gov. Janet Napolitano. The governor has previously vetoed similar legislation but would not comment Tuesday about whether this new version is any more acceptable.
Felons with guns
The Senate gave preliminary approval Tuesday to allowing some people who have been convicted of felonies to get a state permit to carry a concealed weapon.
Arizona does not currently issue such permits to those with felony convictions either in this state or any other. HB 2634 creates an exception if the conviction has been expunged, set aside or otherwise vacated, or if the person has had his civil rights restored and is allowed to carry a gun under federal law.
The House already has approved similar language.
Williams water
Gov. Janet Napolitano signed legislation Tuesday which will allow the city of Williams to continue pumping water from an illegally drilled well.
City officials acknowledge that the well, put in more than a dozen years ago, is drawing water not from the same underground aquifer as the community. And state law generally prohibits groundwater from being moved from one basin to another.
Rather than force the city to attempt to find water in its own basin, this law says it can continue to withdraw up to 228 million gallons a year, but only after first using any available surface water.
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