Assigned to MAPS AS VETOED
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Sixth Legislature, Second Regular Session
VETOED
FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2658
pedestrians; congregating; medians; unsafe locations
Purpose
Prohibits pedestrians from congregating or soliciting if the pedestrian is: 1) on a painted or
raised traffic island or median; 2) on an exit or entrance ramp or roadway of a controlled access
highway; or 3) in an intersection where there is not a sidewalk or a safe corridor for pedestrians.
Background
A person commits obstructing a highway or other public thoroughfare if they recklessly
interfere with the passage of any highway or public thoroughfare by creating an unreasonable
inconvenience or hazard, or by intentionally using a pedestrian signal sign to stop the passage of
traffic or to solicit a driver for a donation or business (A.R.S. § 13-2906).
Unless otherwise provided, failure to adhere to state traffic laws is a civil traffic violation,
which carries a civil penalty not to exceed $250 (A.R.S. §§ 28-121 and 28-1598). A civil penalty
is also subject to various surcharges totaling 78 percent of the base penalty and $44 in additional
assessments (A.R.S. Title 12, Chapter 1, Article 1).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this
legislation.
Provisions
1. Prohibits pedestrians from congregating or soliciting if the pedestrian is:
a) on a painted or raised traffic island or median;
b) on an exit or entrance ramp or roadway of a controlled access highway; or
c) in an intersection where there is not a sidewalk or a safe corridor for pedestrians.
2. Stipulates that if a person violates the prohibition on pedestrians congregating on medians or
unsafe locations:
a) for the first violation, a peace officer may not issue a citation and may only issue a warning;
b) for a second violation, the person is responsible for a civil traffic violation; and
c) for a third or subsequent violation, the person is guilty of a class 1 misdemeanor.
3. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
Amendments Adopted by Committee of the Whole
• Specifies that pedestrians are prohibited from congregating or soliciting if the pedestrian is in
an intersection, rather than an unsafe location, where there is not a sidewalk or a safe corridor
for pedestrians. FACT SHEET – Vetoed
H.B. 2658
Page 2
Governor's Veto Message
The Governor indicates in her veto message that in approaching these matters, it is critical
to avoid infringing on Arizonan's freedoms.
House Action Senate Action
TI 2/7/24 DP 6-3-2-0 MAPS 3/13/24 DP 4-3-0
3
rd
Read 2/22/24 35-24-0-0-1 3
rd
Read 4/1/24 16-12-2
Vetoed by the Governor 4/10/24
Prepared by Senate Research
April 15, 2024
ZD/KK/cs