The roads built on these reservations, however, weren’t made for the influx of traffic, according to Teresa Martinez, a representative for Arizona Legislature’s 16th District. 

“Usually they get a semi-truck and some cars every so often,” Martinez said. “But when they have hundreds of cars bumper-to-bumper on their roadways, it can be detrimental to their infrastructure.”

And that’s why, Martinez said, advocates for the Gila River Indian Community sought help from a local legislator. Martinez (R), heard these concerns from her constituents within the Gila River Community and wanted to take action. 

House Bill 2062 was signed into law on May 1, which allows for the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to include a Gila River Indian Community and an Ak-Chin Indian Community special license plate option for drivers. 

Martinez, the bill’s primary sponsor, explained that this situation is analogous to other special license plates, like the Arizona Cardinals’ special license plate. 

“When you see cars with Cardinals license plates, you know that the driver is going to pay an additional fee every year they renew their car’s registration,” Martinez said. “That additional fee then goes back to that group’s fundraiser or charity, and these native community plates are going to accomplish the same thing.”

Martinez’s bill didn’t pass through state congress unanimously, however. After the first read-through of the bill in a committee meeting, two members of the house voted against it – District 15’s Neal Carter (R) and District 29’s Steve Montenegro (R). Both declined to comment. 

Martinez said members will vote no solely based on their personal beliefs, with no explanation. 

“Representative Carter and I are very great friends. … He told me before the vote that he was going to vote against my bill and not to take it personally,” Martinez said. “Sometimes representatives do that and that is the way it is.”

Martinez also said some members were hesitant because the Native American communities don’t pay the same taxes as other communities in Arizona. 

According to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Federal income taxes are less for Indian Communities. 

But people are taking this rebuttal offensively, like Ak-Chin Community member Hozhonii Gooden. 

“How are you going to put us on reservations with no resources, drive on our roads until they’re ready to cave in under us, and then not be in support of this?” Gooden asked. “I think it’s unfair.”

One of the limitations of the bill is that $32,000 must be paid by any person or organization to the ADOT by Dec. 31, 2023, for license plate manufacturing purposes. If the lump sum amount is not paid by the deadline, then the special plates will not be offered starting in 2024 as originally planned, according to Martinez. 

Currently, there is no update on how much money has been paid, if any has been at all. However, Martinez said she plans to meet with the ADOT the week of Dec. 8 and plans to check on the status of the initiative.