AZ to Collect DNA Database from Anyone Arrested

If Janet Napolitano signs the proposed budget bill, it will contain a provision to collect DNA from anyone arrested of a crime.
Collecting DNA from people who have been arrested and not convicted is another step down the slippery slope of government intrusion.  The fact that a Democratic governor does not see the Constitutional harm is this practice is disconcerting.

According to the Legislative fact sheet, there are about 75,000 new AZ arrestees (some never convicted) each year who would fall under the new legislation. In order to fulfill this new law, 15 new DPS positions would be created and 8-10 million dollars would be needed to remodel a Phoenix facility as a property and evidence lab.
The funds would be raised by adding an additional "three percent on every fine, penalty and forfeiture imposed and collected by the courts for criminal offenses and civil penalties involving traffic violations or game and fish violations."

This bill was heard once on Feb 20th and was attached to the budget bill by Sen. Burns late in the day on June 19.  Sen Grey (R-Mesa), the originator of the bill is a retired policeman, who obviously never took a class in Civics.  The bill judged on its merits, died in the Senate earlier in the year.

I called both Sen. Charlene Pesquiera's (D-Dist 26) and Janet Napolitano's office about this.  Napolitano's staffer seemed unaware this bill was attached.  Today in the AZ Daily Star, Napolitano says the fears are overblown and DNA testing is an evolution of fingerprinting.  "I'm just not convinced that that is as Big Brotherish as your question implies."
http://www.azstarnet.com/...

Sen. Pesquiera agreed it was bad law and would probably be challenged, but expressed hope that Napolitano would use a line item veto to remove it.  Based on Napolitano's comments that seems unlikely.

Welcome to the new America, friends. Not even Democrats will protect your rights.

Here's the link to the fact sheet for S.B. 1267
http://www.azleg.gov/...

Here's the link to the one AZ Star article written about this on Feb 06 of this year.
http://www.azstarnet.com/...

Link to AZ Republic article from 6/20/07
http://www.azcentral.com/...
Be sure to read the readers' comments attached to the article.  Here's my favorite from John2500:

"I suggest a rider be added to the bill - any state lawmaker must provide DNA samples. They must also be required to take the AIMS test (and pass). That will help protect all of us."

Thanks to rtess, here's the link to your legislative cretin:
http://www.azleg.state.az.us/...
Governor Janet Napolitano's contact numbers
Telephone [phone]
Toll Free 1-[phone]
Fax [phone]