Committee advances SB1520 after rejecting strike‑everything amendment to replace it with firefighter grant

The House Committee on Public Safety and Law Enforcement voted to return SB1520 with a due‑pass recommendation after rejecting a strike‑everything amendment that would have replaced the bill with a $1 million grant program for firefighters.

Adele, a committee staff member, described SB1520 as a bill that “requires the state and its agencies to share any data requested by the federal government regarding the status of or any information relating to an unauthorized alien, undocumented immigrant, or individual who overstays their visa in Arizona.” The measure includes a repeal date of Jan. 1, 2029.

Representative Vatia offered a strike‑everything amendment that would have transformed the bill into a $1,000,000 program to reimburse or support firefighters’ station pantry funds and to help buy or replace small kitchen appliances. Vatia said the proposal came from stakeholder meetings and described firefighters as often paying “$20, $30 here and there each person” for shared supplies and sometimes replacing kitchen appliances frequently.

Tom Carretto, executive vice president of the Professional Firefighters of Arizona, testified in support of the amendment, saying many firefighters “provide our own coffee and all the things to make it,” and that firefighters can spend “at least 10 days a month at the fire station” so the out‑of‑pocket costs are significant.

Members pressed for fiscal details and utilization figures. Witnesses said costs vary by jurisdiction and that proponents had not produced a statewide cost estimate; Carretto said utilization of comparable benefits in some expansions was below 10% and average counseling use elsewhere ran 4–6 visits, but similar utilization figures were not provided for the proposed grant program.

The strike‑everything amendment failed on a roll call vote (5 ayes, 7 nays). The committee then voted on the underlying SB1520 and gave it a due‑pass recommendation by voice/roll call (7 ayes, 5 nays).

The committee did not take final floor action on the bill; a do‑pass recommendation from committee is the next procedural step toward consideration by the full chamber.