A particular point of irritation for opponents was that a fundraising effort covered Pearce's expenses.

The Arizona Constitution says officials who are subjects of recall elections can have their expenses paid by the state. However, there's no law that would allow that to happen.

The legislation proposed by a small group of Pearce supporters on a special joint legislative committee would have added such a law.

The bill was pulled from consideration in the Senate on Thursday with Majority Leader Andy Biggs, a Pearce ally, saying it lacked enough votes to pass. Republicans who make up two-thirds of the Senate were split on the issue, and Democrats were united in opposition.

Rep. John Kavanagh, a Republican who co-sponsored SB1070, said Pearce told him Thursday that he favored the legislation but that he wouldn't seek reimbursement.

Pearce said he wanted the bill pulled because his situation was a distraction, Kavanagh told the House during a brief floor speech Thursday evening.