Well, that didn’t take long: Republican legislators propose a bill that would effectively impair the investigation into the Tucson massacre

by Craig McDermott, cross-posted from Random Musings

On Saturday, January 8, six people were murdered and 14 more, including Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, were injured in a mass shooting at a Tucson Safeway.

On Monday, January 10, obscured by all of the nationwide uproar, with freshman Republican Representative Chester Crandell as the primary sponsor and fellow R frosh Brenda Barton, Kate Brophy McGee, Jeff Dial, John Fillmore and Peggy Judd as cosponsors, HB2077 was "prefiled" for the legislative session starting later that day.

The text of this gem of a proposal –

11-453. Federal registration with county sheriff

A. ANY FEDERAL AGENCY THAT COMES INTO A COUNTY TO CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BUSINESS SHALL REGISTER ITS PRESENCE WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF. THE SHERIFF MAY IMPOSE A REASONABLE FEE ON THE FEDERAL AGENCY FOR COMPLETING THE REGISTRATION APPLICATION.

B. NOTWITHSTANDING ANY OTHER LAW, A FEDERAL AGENCY THAT REGISTERS WITH THE COUNTY SHERIFF PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION A SHALL FORWARD ALL MONIES COLLECTED AS A RESULT OF FINES, FEES OR PENALTIES IMPOSED BY THE AGENCY ON A PERSON, BUSINESS OR INDUSTRY WITHIN THE COUNTY TO THE COUNTY SHERIFF. THE SHERIFF SHALL IMMEDIATELY FORWARD THE MONIES TO THE STATE TREASURER FOR DEPOSIT IN THE STATE GENERAL FUND.

So, if this law went into effect (and with 2/3 majorities in each chamber and Jan Brewer residing on the 9th floor of the Executive Tower, passage is a distinct likelihood), the FBI, DOJ, U.S. Capitol Police, U.S. Marshal's Service, and every other federal agency involved in the investigation of the attack on a federal elected official that also left a federal judge dead, would have to pay for the privilege if the county sheriff demanded a tribute "fee" payment.

While I am confident that Sheriff Dupnik of Pima County would *not* impose a fee, the second clause, confiscating any "fines, fees, or penalties" into the state's general fund isn't optional.

And if that agency was investigating a crime in the Fiefdom of Maricopa?

The federal budget would double.