The Arizona House of Representatives passed a bill that would ban the use of Chinese-made technology in the state’s critical infrastructure. House Bill 2696, sponsored by Rep. Nick Kupper, aims to protect Arizona’s infrastructure in the event of a conflict with China. The bill defines “critical public infrastructure” and includes various systems and technologies owned by the state or local governments, as well as utilities like water, gas, and power providers. The legislation would impact technologies such as wi-fi routers, lidar technology, and speed detection systems. While some Democrats raised concerns about potential supply chain issues, the bill passed with mostly Republican votes. Kupper worked with Democrats to address some concerns, including creating exceptions for technologies that cannot be purchased elsewhere. The bill is narrower than its original version, focusing specifically on Chinese-made technology. This legislation is part of a larger effort by Republican lawmakers in Arizona to limit the influence of foreign nations in the state. The bill now moves to the next stage where it will be further evaluated and potentially amended before becoming law.
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