Senate Committee Shuts Down Legislative Immunity Reform Bill

A proposal aimed at revoking state lawmakers’ ability to evade traffic citations during legislative sessions has lost momentum in Arizona’s legislature.

Introduced by Rep. Quang Nguyen, the measure, known as HCR 2053, initially gained traction in the House with a bipartisan vote of 37-20. It was subsequently forwarded to the Senate for further consideration.

Senate President Warren Petersen assigned the bill to the Public Safety Committee, led by Sen. Kevin Payne. However, Payne opted not to include it on the meeting agenda for last week or the upcoming session this Wednesday.

This decision is significant as it marks the final week for Senate committees to review House-approved measures. Without a committee hearing, the proposal effectively becomes inactive and will not reach the Senate floor.

Payne, speaking with Capitol Media Services, explained that there is insufficient support within his committee to advance the measure. He expressed his own opposition, citing a constitutional foundation for lawmakers’ legislative privileges.

The constitutional provision at issue offers lawmakers protection from arrest during legislative sessions and for 15 days prior, with exceptions for serious offenses like treason and felonies. Nguyen’s proposal sought to add a specific exemption for traffic violations.

This move emerged in response to recent incidents involving lawmakers who bypassed citations due to the existing privilege. There’s a history of legislative claims to this privilege, which does not technically grant immunity from citations after sessions conclude.

Nguyen argues that such privileges have outlived their purpose, prompting concern over potential consequences, including serious accidents involving lawmakers and the public.

Contrarily, Payne remains a proponent of the current provision, asserting that it should not be abolished due to the actions of a few individuals. While the proposal aimed to present the issue to voters on the 2026 ballot, Payne dismissed its viability for this year.

Nguyen insists on continuing the conversation and may reintroduce similar legislation in the next session, emphasizing the need for accountability among lawmakers.

Petersen clarified that his intention was not to derail the bill, expressing support for its objectives. He indicated that assigning it to Payne’s committee might have presented a better opportunity for hearings.

Instances of lawmakers using the privilege have sparked public attention. Notably, last year, a senator claimed immunity for speeding, which later resulted in a citation, illustrating the complex interplay between legislative privilege and law enforcement.

Some legislators, including Payne and fellow members, have voiced concerns that stripping this privilege could undermine legislative independence, feeding into fears of executive overreach during critical votes.