Bill aims to secure line of succession to governor

Gov. Jan Brewer (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A state Senate committee has approved a bill requiring one state elected official to remain in a secure location for big events like inaugurations and the state of the state address.

The bill aims to protect the line of succession to the governor’s office in the event of an attack at the location where state leaders are gathered.

A similar federal policy is used to secure the presidential line of succession.

The bill requires that for every event, the governor designates the secretary of state, the attorney general, the state treasurer or the superintendent of public instruction to stay behind. The excused official would have a security detail, among other precautions.

The committee unanimously approved the bill Wednesday. The measure must pass another committee before going to the full Senate.