In this episode of Birdman at the Arizona Legislature, Birdman breaks down a revealing and, at times, frustrating House Government Committee meeting centered on House Bill 2460, officially titled Business Property Theft Penalties Prohibition.

While the bill—introduced by Representative Nicholas Kupper—is framed as a measure to prevent municipalities from holding businesses responsible for stolen property, the committee discussion quickly exposes what the issue is reallyabout: shopping carts and, more broadly, homelessness policy in Arizona's largest cities.

Birdman explains how cities like Phoenix, supported by the League of Arizona Cities and Towns, are pushing policies that would require retailers to prevent shopping carts from leaving their premises—potentially mandating costly locking or GPS devices that can add significant expense, especially for small and independent businesses. With shopping carts costing roughly $200 each and anti-theft devices adding up to $75 per cart, the burden disproportionately impacts smaller retailers while favoring large chains.

The episode also highlights that Arizona law already criminalizes shopping cart theft, raising questions about why municipalities are shifting enforcement responsibility from individuals to businesses. According to Birdman, the committee debate repeatedly leaned on assurances from "big retailers," while largely ignoring the consequences for small businesses and rural or smaller communities.

Ultimately, Birdman argues that HB 2460 isn't really about shopping carts at all. Instead, it reflects the state's ongoing struggle to address homelessness, sidewalk obstruction, and urban encampments—without confronting the root causes, particularly housing shortages. Rather than penalizing retailers, Birdman calls for holding cities accountable for developing real, effective homelessness strategies.

This episode offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how legislation can mask deeper policy conflicts, and why understanding what a bill appears to do versus what it actually addresses is critical when following Arizona politics.

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