On Tuesday, March 15, the Arizona Senate Education Committee heard compelling testimony before passing HB2495 on a party line vote.
Prior to casting his vote in favor of the bill, Sen. Tyler Pace offered the most “unique” testimony about an “awkward” conversation he had with his wife. He recounted his wife’s reaction when she opened a package that contained some of the books mentioned during the numerous debates of the bill. The Senator had ordered the books as part of his effort to research the matter. Hear Pace’s comments:
The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Jake Hoffman, said during an earlier discussion of the bill on the House floor, “the bill is about nothing more than protecting the innocence of Arizona children from sexually explicit materials.” Hoffman then mentioned some of the materials that students currently have access to that would be the subject of the prohibition.
Watch the entire Senate Education Committee hearing of the bill: