PHOENIX (AP) - Lost in the flurry of activity in the final days of the Legislature last week is the fact that lawmakers killed a number of bills in the 2014 session that would have generated controversy had they reached Gov. Jan Brewer’s desk. They included legislation on federal education standards and animal rights, and a bill reminiscent of the national outrage over a measure that would have allowed businesses to discriminate against gays based on religious beliefs.
Here is a look of some of the bills:
GAY WEDDINGS
The Arizona Legislature received national attention in February when it passed Senate Bill 1062, allowing businesses to discriminate against gays based on religious beliefs. Gov. Jan Brewer vetoed the bill, saying it “could divide Arizona in ways we could not even imagine and no one would ever want.”
A separate bill was introduced around the same time that would have given legal cover to ministers who refuse to officiate over gay marriages. It was opposed by the Anti-Defamation League because it also would allow justices of the peace, judges or other civil servants to refuse to oversee a marriage. House Bill 2481 never made it out of the House.
COMMON CORE
Senate Bill 1310 would have banned Arizona school districts from continuing to adopt Common Core standards. The federal standards aim to focus learning on comprehension and real-life examples and were designed by a national, bipartisan group of governors and education leaders to better prepare students for college and the job market. Conservative Republicans say the federal government should not dictate education standards in Arizona. The bill was defeated in the Senate when moderate Republicans banded with Democrats to vote it down. Brewer also has vetoed a House bill that would have prevented the state from adopting any federally mandated school standards or teaching approaches.
GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY
Senate Bill 1303 drew ire from both parties because it would have granted a large property tax break specifically for Grand Canyon University, a for-profit Christian school in Phoenix. Grand Canyon University wants its property reclassified into a much lower rate that would save it about $750,000 a year on its Phoenix campus. The bill passed in the Senate but died in the House when a committee found the bill could run afoul of the state constitution. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Steve Yarbrough, R-Chandler, tried to revive the bill, but it failed to pass.
TEEN CELL PHONE USE
The topic of Senate Bill 1168 was not the hot-button political issue as some of the other debates, but it didn’t make it far in the Legislature. It would have banned cellphone use by teen drivers for the first six months they hold a license. The bill by Rep. Karen Fann, R-Prescott, was one of several unsuccessful attempts at banning cellphone use on the road. Although the House of Representatives passed the bill on April 15, Senate President Andy Biggs, R-Gilbert, refused to hear it in the Senate.
The proposal would all use of electronic communications devices for teen drivers, including texting. The only exception in an emergency situation where stopping to make a call would be impossible or unsafe. However, police wouldn’t have been allowed to make a traffic stop just because of cellphone use.
ANIMAL RIGHTS
House Bill 2587 was one of those rare bills that brought together law enforcement and animal-rights activists. The bill by Rep. Brenda Barton, R-Payson, aimed to separate livestock animals from domestic ones. The bill would have reduced first-offense felony charges to a misdemeanor for farmers and others accused of abusing livestock. The bill was championed by livestock producers but criticized by animal-rights activists and law enforcement agencies for provisions that they said would hamper investigations of abuse.
The bill originally would have forced anyone to notify law enforcement of animal cruelty within five days of obtaining evidence. Animal-rights activists say that was a veiled attempt to eliminate undercover investigations at animal processing plants and farms.
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