Senate Public Safety Committee advances package of public‑safety bills, including transport, ambulance and infrastructure measures

The Arizona Senate Committee on Public Safety advanced a package of public‑safety bills on March 17, 2026, moving several measures to the next stage with due‑pass recommendations.

Key outcomes and summaries:

HB2134 (Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act): Sponsor summary described prohibiting governmental entities or critical‑infrastructure providers from entering or renewing contracts that grant Chinese companies direct or indirect access to critical infrastructure and requiring the Arizona Corporation Commission to publish a prohibited‑equipment list and to implement risk‑based oversight. The committee moved HB2134 with a due‑pass recommendation (vote recorded in committee: 4 ayes, 3 no). Senators who explained votes praised revisions that added prospective timing and self‑certification but raised concerns about costs to local governments.

HB2404 (behavioral‑health transport): The bill would require authorized transporters to conduct interfacility transports for mental‑health patients beginning July 1, 2027, and limit peace‑officer transports except where safety or prisoner status requires it. Crisis‑intervention staff from Phoenix Police and the Arizona Police Association backed the measure as improving patient care and returning officers to patrol. The committee passed HB2404 with a 7–0 recorded vote.

HB2402 (certificate of necessity for ambulance services): The bill and a 15‑page amendment would require the Department of Health Services to issue certificates of necessity to city/town/fire districts or private ambulance services for areas under 10,000 residents in certain circumstances, add reporting requirements and create an online application portal. Fire and county representatives supported the amendment; the committee adopted the amendment and advanced the bill as amended (7–0).

HB2673 (inmate mental‑health screening/study committee): The sponsor said the bill originally included screening and evaluation requirements; an amendment removed most operational mandates and retained a study committee to examine inmate mental‑health services and screening improvements. Family members gave emotional testimony about service gaps. The committee advanced the bill as amended (6–0, 1 not voting).

HB2253 (employee testimony protections): The bill prohibits agencies from preventing or retaliating against employees (including subject‑matter experts) who provide testimony in disciplinary appeal proceedings. The Arizona Police Association supported the measure; the committee advanced it with a due‑pass recommendation (5–0, 2 not voting).

HB2270 (county seal/logo): The bill would expand unauthorized‑use prohibitions from county seals to county logos and other office branding and give sheriffs exclusive authority over naming related posses; county association representatives testified in favor. The committee advanced the bill (6–0).

HB2941 (motorcycle lane conduct): Sponsor described outlawing lane overtaking/splitting when traffic is moving and classifying that conduct as reckless driving, with enumerated exceptions. Motorcycle‑safety stakeholders and a resident speaker urged clarifications and a tiered penalty structure for accidental, low‑speed incidents; the committee advanced the bill with a do‑pass recommendation (5–1, 1 not voting).

Next steps: Each bill will proceed according to the Senate calendar; committee members asked staff and sponsors for follow‑up on implementation details, cost estimates and stakeholder concerns where noted.