The new bill authored by State Rep. Martinez in the Arizona House seeks to clarify and expand the governor and attorney general’s responsibilities related to immigration enforcement and state cooperation with federal programs, according to the Arizona State House.
The bill, introduced as HB2099 on Jan. 10, ahead of the official start of the 57th Legislature’s first regular session on Jan. 13, was formally listed with the short title: ‘governor; attorney general; duties; immigration’.
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends sections 41-101 and 41-192 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, enhancing the roles and responsibilities of the governor and the attorney general with particular emphasis on immigration-related tasks. The governor is required to enforce, administer, and cooperate with federal actions and programs related to federal immigration laws. The bill also grants the governor the authority to appoint certain officials, communicate officially on behalf of the state, and enter intergovernmental agreements to manage federal parks during shutdowns. Additionally, it outlines various duties of the attorney general, which include legal advisory roles, organizing the civil rights division, and enforcing antitrust laws. Both the governor and attorney general must adhere to prescribed procedures regarding appointments, reports, and the handling of official state matters.
The bill was co-sponsored by Mark Finchem (Republican-1st District), Leo Biasiucci (Republican-30th District), and Michael Carbone (Republican-25th District), along with 11 other sponsors.
Since the beginning of the session, Martinez has proposed one other bill, with none of them being adopted.
Teresa Martinez is currently serving in the Arizona State House, representing the state’s 16th House District. She replaced previous state representative John Fillmore in 2023.
In Arizona, the legislative process begins when a bill is introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. It is then assigned to one or more committees for discussion and possible amendment. If approved by committee, the bill proceeds to floor debate and voting in both chambers. If both chambers pass the bill, it is sent to the governor, who may sign it into law, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature. The Arizona Legislature convenes annually in regular session starting the second Monday in January. Lawmakers introduce hundreds of bills each session, though only a portion make it into law. You can learn more about the legislative process on the Arizona State Legislature website.
| Bill Number | Date Introduced | Short Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB2099 | 01/10/2025 | This bill amends sections 41-101 and 41-192 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, enhancing the roles and responsibilities of the governor and the attorney general with particular emphasis on immigration-related tasks. The governor is required to enforce, administer, and cooperate with federal actions and programs related to federal immigration laws. The bill also grants the governor the authority to appoint certain officials, communicate officially on behalf of the state, and enter intergovernmental agreements to manage federal parks during shutdowns. Additionally, it outlines various duties of the attorney general, which include legal advisory roles, organizing the civil rights division, and enforcing antitrust laws. Both the governor and attorney general must adhere to prescribed procedures regarding appointments, reports, and the handling of official state matters. |
| HB2029 | 01/07/2025 | This bill mandates that, beginning in the 2026-27 school year, Arizona public and charter schools providing internet-connected devices or access to students must offer internet safety instruction for grades five through 12. The instruction will cover best practices for protecting students from online predators, avoiding scams, safeguarding passwords and personal information, and shielding students from opioids like fentanyl. By June 30, 2026, the Arizona Department of Education is tasked with compiling age-appropriate resources to satisfy these instructional requirements. Parents will have the option to opt their children out of this internet safety instruction. |
