Legislative Briefing

Tucson, Arizona  Friday, 9 February 2001

More patrol officers soon to hit the roads

PHOENIX - Gov. Jane Hull will sign legislation Monday to put more highway patrol officers on Arizona roads.

The House of Representatives yesterday gave final approval to SB 1243, which adds 116 new positions. The legislation, approved on a 52-5 margin, also include money to replace highway patrol vehicles - 31 percent of the 820 cars in the fleet have logged 100,000 miles.

The Senate passed the bill Wednesday.

About 15 to 20 of the additional officers will be based in Pima County.

Infant dropoff bill passes House

The House of Representatives gave preliminary approval to a law giving legal immunity to new mothers who drop off their infants at certain locations.

The measure, HB 2001, is aimed at persuading young mothers panicked by their pregnancy not to abandon their infants in trash bins and parking lots. It is modeled after a similar Texas law.

House gives wing to state butterfly

Arizona is on its way to having an official state butterfly.

With virtually no dissent, the House of Representatives yesterday voted to give that designation to papilio multicaudatus - the two-tailed swallowtail. A final House vote next week will send the bill to the Senate.

Capitol Media Services
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