Associated Press - June 27, 2009 6:14 PM ET

PHOENIX (AP) - Senators beat back an attempt to remove a ban on state highway speed enforcement cameras from a bill moving through the Arizona Legislature.

The move came in a rare Saturday session scheduled so Senators could act on a crush of bills before the fiscal year ends on Tuesday.

A Senate committee added the photo enforcement ban to a wide-ranging transportation bill it approved Thursday.

An amendment introduced by Gilbert Republican Sen. Thayer Verschoor tried to remove the photo enforcement ban during the floor session, but Senators voted it down in a voice vote.

Arizona lawmakers created the first statewide network of speed enforcement cameras last year.

Supporters say the cameras improve safety, but opponents say they distract drivers.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.