Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs vetoes HB2012
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has vetoed House Bill (HB) 2012 on Monday.
In a press release obtained by KYMA, the bill would have "prohibited Arizona employers, government entities, and healthcare institutions from forcing individuals to take products authorized only under the FDA's Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)."
In her letter to State House Speaker Steve Montenegro, Governor Hobbs said, "The bill appears to be predicated on a misunderstanding of federal law."
"It has the potential to jeopardize the public health of Arizonans and problematically put the state in the position of dictating the policy decisions of private employers," the governor added.
After HB2012 was vetoed, State Representative Nick Kupper (R-District 25), who co-sponsored the bill, issued the following statement:
"Governor Hobbs claims this bill is based on a 'misunderstanding of federal law.' But here's the truth: I lived this issue personally, and I stood up in court to challenge the federal government's attempt to force an EUA product on me. The judge in my case recognized what federal law clearly states—emergency use products must be optional. That's not a misunderstanding. That's the law.
Hobbs says she wants to protect public health, but she's actively defending the ability of employers to force unapproved, untested, and potentially unsafe products on Arizonans. The FDA itself acknowledges that EUA products are not fully approved. This bill simply clarified that Arizonans should not be coerced into taking something the federal government hasn't fully vetted.
What's really happening here is the Governor is siding with corporations and government bureaucrats over individuals and their rights. My bill would not have banned the use of any product. It would not have stopped anyone from choosing to take an EUA product. It would have stopped mandates. Period.
This was a straightforward measure to reinforce the principle of informed consent and individual liberty. Governor Hobbs just told Arizonans she believes the state should step in to compel them to take products the FDA hasn’t approved. That’s unconscionable."
