PHOENIX (AP) - A Senate committee has approved a proposal pushed by Arizona Attorney General Mark Brnovich expanding the state’s terrorism laws to include more crimes and adding a mandatory 10 year minimum sentence.
The Judiciary Committee voted 6-1 to advance Senate Bill 1350 on Thursday. It now moves to the full Senate for consideration.
Brnovich’s criminal division chief testified that current law is limited to plots or attacks on government buildings. Paul Ahler said the proposal is needed to go after crimes targeting any publicly accessible building.
He pointed to a case last year where a Tucson man plotted to attack a state motor vehicle office, a Tucson restaurant and a military recruiting center. Ahler said the current terror law only allowed prosecution for the state office building.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.