A proposal to require cities to randomly inspect their parking meters has cleared its first legislative hurdle. From Phoenix, KJZZ’s Mark Brodie reports.

MARK BRODIE: The bill would mandate cities test and calibrate ten percent of their meters every quarter. And, if less than three-quarters of those meters tested are accurate, the municipality would then have to test all of its meters. Phoenix Democrat Chad Campbell, the measure’s sponsor, says his bill isn’t going after cities - he calls it pro-resident, business and accountability.

CHAD CAMPBELL: The group of people that are being hurt the most by this aren’t just the residents, it is the small businesses of downtown Phoenix and other cities with parking meters that aren’t working properly. This is a disincentive for people to come down and go to restaurants, go to their downtown activities if they have to interact with parking meters that aren’t working.

BRODIE: The House Government Committee unanimously approved the measure Tuesday, although some members expressed concerns with it. The bill now goes before the full house for debate.