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Proposition 317: DECLARES THAT DRUG CARTELS ARE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS; DIRECTS THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS DRUG CARTELS.

DECLARES THAT DRUG CARTELS ARE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS; DIRECTS THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS DRUG CARTELS.

Arguments for and against Upcoming Legislative referral Law Enforcement As of 2026-10-10
Data note

Legislative referral: no JLBC fiscal impact summary is published in the pamphlet; fiscal_impact null.

Legislative Council analysis in explanatory_statement.

Arguments are paid/submitted arguments; reproduced as submitted. Argument text may include signer name lines and photo-caption fragments from the PDF layout.

1 argument(s) for, 1 against.

GAP-FILL 2026-10-10: fiscal_impact: no JLBC fiscal note found at azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/{1R,2R}/fiscal/<bill>.DOCX.pdf for this resolution (HTTP 404). JLBC writes fiscal notes only on request, so treat this as not found, not confirmed absent.

Ballot text (Ballot format (official title + descriptive title))

OFFICIAL TITLE: AMENDING TITLE 41, CHAPTER 41, ARTICLE 1, ARIZONA REVISED STATUTES, BY ADDING SECTION 41-4256. DESCRIPTIVE TITLE: DECLARES THAT DRUG CARTELS ARE TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS; DIRECTS THE ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY TO DO EVERYTHING IN ITS AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS DRUG CARTELS.

What a YES vote means

A “yes” vote shall have the effect of: (1) declaring drug cartels as terrorist organizations and directing the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do everything in its authority to address threats posed by drug cartels; (2) defining “drug cartel” to mean an ongoing formal or informal association of persons engaged in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or any act defined as terrorism under Arizona law; and (3) clarifying that this measure does not support an alien’s asylum claim.

What a NO vote means

A “no” vote shall have the effect of maintaining the current laws relating to terrorism and the Arizona Department of Homeland Security.

Explanatory statement

Proposition 317 would declare that drug cartels (associations of persons engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit or any act of terrorism) are terrorist organizations. The proposition would: 1. Require the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to use all lawful means available within its authority to address threats posed by drug cartels. 2. Declare that this proposition does not support an alien's claim for asylum under federal law. Notice: Pursuant to proposition 105 (1998), these measures cannot be changed in the future if approved on the ballot except by a three-fourths vote of the members of each house of the legislature and if the change furthers the purpose of the original ballot measure, by an initiative petition or by referring the change to the ballot.

Fiscal impact

Not published by the state

Argument FOR

As a father of three, safety is one of my top issues of concern – and I know it is for most Arizonans I speak to. Securing Arizona’s border and holding criminals accountable is critical to public safety. There is no question that the violent drug cartels operating along Arizona’s border constitute a grave threat to the safety of Arizonans, law enforcement, the individuals they smuggle, and the kids, teens, and communities harmed by the flow of fentanyl and other drugs. These criminal cartels utilize our highway systems and some have even made our state the primary corridor for their predatory acts of terror against innocent people. In reality, these cartels are acting as terrorist organizations. Prop 317 categorizes them as such, unleashing the full authority of our state’s government and Arizona Department of Homeland Security to fight back and protect Arizonans. In fact, Prop 317 not just allows, but requires, that AZDOHS do everything within its authority to fight back against the cartels, ensuring that Arizonans will be protected regardless of partisan politics or the whims of whoever may be directing the department. That’s why I’m urging Arizonans who are concerned for the safety of their children, neighborhood and community to vote YES on Prop 317. George Khalaf, Scottsdale

Argument AGAINST

HCR 2055 – Label drug cartels as terrorist organizations. Needless to say, this is a waste of our time and that of our legislators. It’s symbolic legislation that does nothing other than to make the MAGA legislature feel warm and fuzzy. The Governor vetoed a similar measure from the legislature, but our MAGA wackadoodles would rather see it in black and white on a two-page, four-sided ballot. Vote No on Proposition HCR 2055. Timothy Everhard, Director, Arizonans for Freedom, Peoria

Both columns use the same layout. Text is quoted from the official state guide. Views expressed belong to the argument authors.

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