PHOENIX (AP) - Republican lawmakers have passed a bill to try and stop the government from indefinitely detaining or executing Arizona citizens without due process.
Sen. Judy Burges of Sun City West says she's standing up for people across the country by attempting to limit what is allowed under U.S. wartime law.
But constitutional law professor Paul Bender says the measure violates the Constitution's supremacy clause. He says the state cannot stop the federal government from operating in Arizona.
Senate Bill 1437 would prevent federal, state and local authorities from arresting, capturing or executing citizens under the National Defense Authorization Act or the Authorization for the Use of Military Force.
The Senate federalism committee passed the measure 4-2 Tuesday. It now undergoes a standard constitutional review before going to a Senate vote.
