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PHOENIX (AP) - A state lawmaker wants the age limit of 45 for serving in the state militia removed, opening the force designed to be mustered in emergencies but never used in modern memory to older Arizonans.

But preachers of the gospel, judges, idiots, lunatics and members of the Legislature would still be barred under the early 20th century law that Republican Rep. Carl Seel wants to update.

Seel says all he's doing is bringing the age provision in the Arizona Constitution into modern times. But the parts barring lawmakers, elected officials, preachers, the totally blind, idiots and lunatics and "persons convicted of infamous crimes," will remain in the enabling legislation Seel wants to revise.

The bill is headed to the full House after a routine committee approval Monday.