STATE CAPITOL, PHOENIX – The Arizona House of Representatives today passed HB2696, the Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act, sponsored by State Representative Nick Kupper. This important legislation safeguards Arizona’s critical infrastructure by prohibiting the use of software and equipment produced by companies controlled by the People’s Republic of China.

Representative Kupper, a 20-year Air Force veteran, celebrated the bill’s passage as a major step toward securing Arizona’s critical infrastructure against growing global threats.

“We’ve seen the extreme measures China will take to undermine our nation,” said Representative Kupper. “The Arizona Critical Infrastructure Protection Act is a crucial step in securing our power grids, water systems, and communications networks from those who seek to do us harm. In a world where the next war will be fought with technology as much as with troops, Arizona must stay ahead of the curve. We cannot afford to allow companies controlled by China access to these highly sensitive systems.”

The Act prohibits the use of software and equipment produced by companies headquartered in or controlled by China. It transfers regulatory oversight from the Arizona Commerce Authority to the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC), ensuring stricter compliance and enforcement. The bill also bans government entities and critical infrastructure providers from contracting with vendors of camera-based school bus infraction detection systems if the vendor is owned by the government of China and requires preapproval from the ACC for any critical infrastructure agreements involving China and a governmental entity or publicly regulated utility. Additionally, the bill removes prior restrictions on the sale, transfer, or investment of critical infrastructure by foreign adversaries and eliminates prohibitions on companies using foreign cloud service providers.

The passage of HB2696 aligns squarely with the House Republican Majority Plan. Built on the pillars of preserving the American Dream, promoting public safety, and protecting individual rights, the plan prioritizes defending Arizona from external threats. HB2696 delivers on that promise by strengthening the state’s defenses against foreign interference, ensuring safe and secure communities for every Arizonan.

HB2696 now moves to the Senate for further consideration.

Nick Kupper is a Republican member of the Arizona House of Representatives serving Legislative District 25 which includes portions of Maricopa, Yuma, and La Paz Counties. He also serves as Vice Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee. Follow him on X at @kupper4arizona.