Prop 317 targets drug cartels as terrorist groups

710 now this morning and you decide Arizona. This election voters are being asked to decide eight statewide propositions and this week we are breaking down a different proposition each day in our 7 a.m. hour. Yeah we did this last week as well so you can go to our website to take a look at some of those other props as well but today we are looking at prop 317 which would declare drug cartels terrorist organizations. Here is Celeste Rodriguez. Prop 317 made it to the ballot by legislative referral. That means lawmakers voted to put the measure on the ballot. The prop declares that drug cartels are terrorist organizations. It also directs the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to do everything in its authority to crack down on those organizations. The bill would define a drug cartel as an ongoing formal or informal association of people engaged in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or any act defined as terrorism under Arizona law. A no vote maintains current laws on terrorism and the Department of Homeland Security. Supporters say the prop will make Arizona safer. Opponents dispute that, saying it's symbolic legislation and labeling drug cartels as terrorist organizations is a responsibility of the federal government. Support to put the proposition on the ballot was split along party lines, with Republicans voting in support and Democrats opposed. Governor Hobbs also vetoed a similar bill in 2023.