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LD16 representatives update Maricopa on session wins, introduce bill to protect police forfeiture funds
Summary
Representatives Teresa Martinez and Chris Lopez told Maricopa council members they secured local project funding and described HB2102, legislation Martinez introduced to prevent the state from reallocating RICO (forfeiture) funds for general budget shortfalls.
Representative Teresa Martinez and Representative Chris Lopez, lawmakers for Legislative District 16, updated the Maricopa City Council on results from the recent legislative session and on funding secured for local projects.
Martinez described efforts to protect police forfeiture accounts, saying, “I ran a bill that would prohibit the state of Arizona from ever stealing RICO funds again,” and identified that the measure is HB2102. Martinez told the council she and her seatmates negotiated language and a budget footnote (she referenced SB1739 during her remarks) to prevent the state from using unspent forfeiture funds to cover general budget shortfalls. Martinez said the bill passed some committees but was later blocked by an appropriations chair; she said a footnote ultimately was placed in the budget and — after staff review — the date was omitted so the restriction now reads indefinitely.
Both representatives described local capital and program funding they helped secure. Martinez said she and Lopez each had $2,500,000 allocated to them to spend on district projects (a combined $5,000,000), and she highlighted specific items: $200,000 each for Maricopa police and fire and a $300,000 grant to La Frontera for suicide-prevention services. Lopez reiterated those totals and said the funding and outreach reflected constituent engagement during the budget process.
Lopez described committee work and constituent outreach, listing his committee assignments (appropriations; health and human services; and natural resources, energy and water) and encouraging residents to visit lawmakers’ offices and attend tours or briefings.
Why it matters: Martinez framed HB2102 and the budget footnote as a corrective step after the state used unspent forfeiture funds for a budget shortfall, which she called improper. The representatives asked residents to remain engaged as they continue to work on funding and policy matters that affect Maricopa.
Next steps: Martinez and Lopez invited residents to contact them with ideas and to participate in stakeholder processes for future bills.
