State Senator Wendy Rogers refused to grant a hearing for a bill punishing those who commit stolen valor.
The refusal came as a surprise for few, since Rogers is an Air Force veteran herself. But most recognized the claims made by others that Rogers refusal wasn’t all that surprising since she may be protecting an ally: her former running mate Steve Slaton, who withdrew from the legislative district 7 race last summer over falsifying his military service.
“[Rogers] put the bill on the agenda, just to hold it because she wants to kill it!” said Stolen Valor on X. “Her first words today were ‘she’s holding the bill’ in front of all those veterans. The only reason she put it on the agenda was to stop the pressure that was being placed on her about the bill.”
Senator Rogers @WendyRogersAZ just lied to everyone. She put the bill on the agenda, just to hold it because she wants to kill it!!
Her first words today were “she’s holding the bill” in front of all those Veterans.
The only reason she put it on the agenda was to stop the… https://t.co/qpJtDGjr8W
— Stolen Valor (@StolenValor1) March 26, 2025
Rogers defended Slaton after reports emerged of his stolen valor.
The bill, HB2030 or the “Master Sergeant Orlando Dona Valor Act,” never got a hearing during Wednesday’s Senate Judiciary and Elections meeting though it was on the agenda. A group of over 70 veterans showed up to Wednesday’s hearing to testify in support of the bill.
HB2030 would bring a host of punishments for impersonating a veteran based on severity: a class one misdemeanor for impersonation generally, a class six felony if the benefit obtained has a value of at least $500 but less than $5,000, a class five felony if the benefit obtained has a value of at least $5,000 but less than $10,000, and a class four felony if the benefit is at least $10,000 or if the person impersonates a veteran in furtherance of a campaign for political office.
Rogers claimed at the beginning of the hearing that the bill author, State Representative Walt Blackman (R-LD07) failed to modify the bill to reflect her desired changes complementing federal law.
“I will not be hearing HB2030 today. I do want to clear up that we did have staff reach out to Representative Blackman’s staff last week on this, I asked if he would amend the bill to comport with federal law but was informed there was no interest in doing that,” said Rogers. “My staff did his staff know I was including it on today’s agenda, in case we had applicable discussions before committee. We have not, so I’m holding the bill.”
Blackman expressed disappointment with Rogers’ refusal to give his bill a hearing in a statement to the Arizona Daily Independent, claiming Rogers was disinterested in cracking down on stolen valor.
“Although I’m disappointed that the Senator chose not to hear HB2030, did not communicate with my office, and offered no amendments, my focus remains where it belongs—on delivering for Arizona’s veterans,” said Blackman. “By choosing to protect individuals who commit Stolen Valor, the Senator unfortunately turned her back on the more than half a million veterans in our state who served honorably and truthfully. These men and women didn’t lie about their service — they earned every bit of recognition they receive. My commitment to them is unwavering. I will continue to advocate for the integrity of military service and for the full support our veterans deserve.”
In order to work around the Senate Judiciary Committee’s failure to vote on HB2030, State Senator Shawnna Bolick reformed her bill to reflect Blackman’s bill through a strike-everything amendment.
“It’s shocking to me that anyone would want to diminish the service of others to make a quick buck, or to use it as coat tails to run for office,” said Bolick.
Representative @BlackmanForAZ has worked tirelessly on House Bill 2030.
Rep. Blackman thank you for your honorable service to this country and for introducing this necessary measure.
It’s estimated there are more than 459 thousand veterans currently residing in Arizona.
— Shawnna LM Bolick (@ShawnnaLMBolick) March 26, 2025
At the end of the meeting, Rogers refused a request for HB2030 to receive a vote.
