Senate Approves ‘Stolen Valor’ Bill Amid Ongoing Feud Between Legislators

The Arizona Senate has passed a “Stolen Valor” bill with strong bipartisan support, aiming to impose criminal penalties on those who impersonate armed forces veterans. This legislative action follows previous controversies surrounding the bill’s progress.

Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, publicly celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 1424, known as the Master Sergeant Orlando Dona Valor Act, on April 15. In her statement, she claimed to have played a significant role in facilitating changes to the bill, despite having previously blocked it from moving forward.

Rogers remarked during the Senate’s final reading of the bill that it exemplified collaboration and compromise between the two chambers. She expressed pride in the outcome achieved under her stewardship.

However, Rep. Walt Blackman, R-Snowflake, who sponsored the bill, refuted Rogers’ claims. He accused her of leveraging the legislative moment for political credit and asserted that she did not contribute to the bill’s amendments.

“It’s disheartening for veterans to see her take credit for something she didn’t do,” Blackman said, highlighting the tension between the two lawmakers as they navigated the legislative process.

The back-and-forth began when Blackman alleged that Rogers had blocked the bill after its approval in the House, stalling its progress in the Senate Judiciary and Elections Committee, of which she is chair. He expressed concern that her actions were influenced by a desire to protect a political ally accused of misrepresenting military service.

Rogers countered by alleging that Blackman had a personal vendetta against her and claimed he obstructed negotiations on amendments. She emphasized her desire for the bill to align with federal law.

Despite initial challenges, the bill was successfully reintroduced as an amendment to a different piece of legislation, with participation from Sen. Shawnna Bolick, R-Phoenix. Bolick noted her support is deeply rooted in her family’s military history.

The revised bill ultimately cleared the House and returned to the Senate for final approval, avoiding the committee process entirely. Blackman made corrections to clarify legal implications and better align the bill with existing statutes.

As the legislative session continues, advocates for the bill, including Blackman and Bolick, aim to ensure that veterans are adequately protected from those who might exploit their service for personal gain. Bolick articulated her commitment during her remarks on the Senate floor, affirming her support for veterans.