Gage Skidmore/CC BY 2.0

Ben Toma in 2023.

Twenty-five of the 31 Republicans in the Arizona House signed a letter urging  legislative leaders to call a special hearing to pass “Texas-style border security legislation.” 

Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed similar legislation earlier this year, so GOP House members want to send the issue to voters in November. 

A special hearing would be required, as the deadline to introduce new bills and resolutions has passed.

House Speaker Ben Toma says the push to send it to voters is premature. He noted the Texas policy allowing state and local police to arrest anyone suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border is still being challenged in courts. 

In issuing her veto, Hobbs said such a bill would be harmful for communities and burdensome for law enforcement.