2024-11-07T11:28:20-05:00 2023-12-31 860257194 WALKER & ARMSTRONG LLP 1850 N CENTRAL AVE STE 400 PHOENIX AZ 850044624 990 2023-01-01 860767692 ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ARIZ 6022588850 352 EAST CAMELBACK ROAD SUITE 200 PHOENIX AZ 85012 DANIEL ADELMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 6022588850 2024-11-07 true true STEVEN L TAIT P00017643 6022301040 2024-11-07 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z DANIEL ADELMAN 352 EAST CAMELBACK ROAD SUITE 200 PHOENIX AZ 85012 695455 false X WWW.ACLPI.ORG X 1974 AZ THE ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO ENSURING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROTECTING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF ARIZONANS. 24 24 7 24 0 888051 503548 142844 75000 1105 11571 59335 34801 1091335 624920 0 0 616848 747607 0 33110 134384 146802 751232 894409 340103 -269489 2206140 1921184 156121 128888 2050019 1792296 X THE ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST IS A NON-PROFIT LAW FIRM DEDICATED TO ENSURING GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROTECTING THE LEGAL RIGHTS OF ARIZONANS. false false 794692 ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HEALTHCARE, CONSUMER PROTECTION, EDUCATION REFORM AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. THE ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ONLY LITIGATES CASES THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. IN 2023, OUR CASES ALL SERVED THE BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST. IN ALL OF THE CENTER'S CASES, WE DO NOT CHARGE OUR CLIENTS ATTORNEYS' FEES. ARIZONA DOES RECOGNIZE THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOCTRINE. UNDER THIS DOCTRINE, OR IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC STATUTE PROVIDING FOR AN AWARD OF FEES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL PARTY, IF THE CENTER IS SUCCESSFUL, THE CENTER WILL SEEK ATTORNEYS' FEES FROM THE ADVERSE PARTY (THE STATE OF ARIZONA). 1. THE CENTER IS LITIGATING A CASE AGAINST THE STATE OF ARIZONA FOR ITS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY FUND THE CAPITAL NEEDS OF ARIZONAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THIS CASE IS ACTUALLY A FOLLOW UP CASE TO ONE THAT THE CENTER SUCCESSFULLY LITIGATED 30 YEARS AGO. AS A RESULT OF THAT CASE, FUNDS WERE PROVIDED TO BRING ALL DILAPIDATED SCHOOLS UP TO STANDARD, AND MONEY WAS TO BE PROVIDED TO KEEP ALL SCHOOLS IN GOOD SHAPE. THE LEGISLATURE SUBSEQUENTLY DE-FUNDED MOST OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED AS PART OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE OLD CASE, AND ARIZONA IS ONCE AGAIN IN A SYSTEM UNDER WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABILITY TO MEET ITS CAPITAL NEEDS DEPENDS TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT ON THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WEALTH IN THE DISTRICT. IF THE CENTER IS SUCCESSFUL, THEN THE STATE WILL BE FORCED TO IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM THAT COMPLIES WITH THE GENERAL AND UNIFORM CLAUSE IN THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION. THIS CASE WILL HELP THE APPROXIMATELY 900,000 TO 1,000,000 CHILDREN IN ARIZONAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE CASE IS CAPTIONED, GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT V. STATE OF ARIZONA. THE NAMED PLAINTIFFS ARE FOUR ARIZONA SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS THE ARIZONA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, THE ARIZONA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION, THE ARIZONA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, AND AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER. 2. THE CENTER SUCCESSFULLY LITIGATED A CASE AGAINST THE STATE OF ARIZONA ON BEHALF OF ALL OF ARIZONAS FOSTER CHILDREN. THIS CASE IS A CLASS ACTION, WHERE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL CLASS OF ALL FOSTER CHILDREN THERE ARE SUBCLASSES THAT PERTAIN TO SUBSETS OF CHILDREN (E.G., THOSE WHO RECEIVE MEDICAID SERVICES, AND THOSE WHO ARE PLACED IN NON-KINSHIP SETTINGS). THE BASIS OF THE CASE WAS THAT THE STATE FAILS TO PROVIDE REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO ARIZONAS FOSTER CHILDREN. THE STATE FAILS TO ASSURE THAT FOSTER CHILDREN RECEIVE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE. THE STATE UNREASONABLY PLACES CHILDREN IN CONGREGATE CARE SETTINGS (WHICH ARE BAD FOR CHILDREN), UNREASONABLY SEPARATES SIBLINGS, FAILS TO TIMELY AND ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN WHILE IN CARE, AND MANY OTHER DEFICIENT PRACTICES. THE STATE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED WHETHER THIS CASE MAY PROCEED AS A CLASS ACTION. THE CENTER (AND CO-COUNSEL) HAVE ACHIEVED VICTORIES ON THIS QUESTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA, AND THAT RULING WAS LARGELY AFFIRMED ON APPEAL IN THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. THE CASE IS KNOWN AS B.K. V. MCKAY AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA. THE CASE SEEKS BROAD RELIEF ON BEHALF OF ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE FOSTER CHILDREN, AND OBVIOUSLY SERVES A BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST. THE PARTIES ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT COURT IN EARLY 2021. THE CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. MONITORING IS ONGOING. ATTORNEY FEES FOR MONITORING RECEIVED 11/15/23 - 75,000. 3. IN 2023, THE CENTER CONTINUED ITS WORK APPEALING RULINGS PERTAINING TO THE STATE OF ARIZONAS REFUSAL TO HOLD IN TRUST THE LAND THAT WAS UNDER ARIZONAS NAVIGABLE RIVERS AT THE TIME THAT ARIZONA BECAME A STATE. ARIZONA HAS ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLAIM THAT ITS RIVERS WERE NOT NAVIGABLE AT STATEHOOD, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT ARIZONA COULD ESSENTIALLY GIVE THAT LAND AWAY TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS. THE CENTER HAS CONTENDED ON BEHALF OF ITS CLIENTS THAT ARIZONA MUST HOLD THAT LAND IN TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ARIZONANS IN PERPETUITY. THE CENTER HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BLOCKING THE STATES ATTEMPTS IN THIS REGARD SEVERAL TIMES IN ARIZONAS COURT SYSTEM OVER THE PAST APPROXIMATELY 20 YEARS. AS A RESULT OF THOSE CASES, ARIZONA CONVENED AN ADJUDICATION COMMISSION, WHICH RULED THAT VARIOUS RIVERS WERE NOT NAVIGABLE. THE CENTER IS APPEALING THOSE RULINGS IN A CASE KNOWS AS DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, DONALD STEUTER, JERRY VAN GASSE, AND JIM VAALER V. ARIZONA NAVIGABLE STREAM ADJUDICATION COMMISSION. THE CASE SERVES A BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST IN THAT IT SEEKS TO PRESERVE THESE PRECIOUS PUBLIC RESOURCES AND TO FORCE THE STATE TO HOLD THEM IN TRUST FOR THE PUBLIC NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. (NOTE: IN 2023 THE CENTER RECEIVED A RULING ON THIS CASE. NO FEES WERE AWARDED. THE APPELLATE COURT RULING DENIED MOST RELIEF SOUGHT, BUT GRANTED PARTIAL RELIEF.) WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE CONDUCT OF THE STATE FOLLOWING THE COURT OF APPEALS' RULING. 4. IN 2023, THE CENTER REPRESENTED MULTIPLE INTERVENORS IN THREE UTILITY RATE CASES BEFORE THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION. UTILITIES THAT SEEK RATE INCREASES ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR APPROVAL FROM THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION. SEVERAL WEEKS OF HEARINGS WERE HELD FOR PROPOSED INCREASES BY TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER ("TEP"), ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY ("APS"), AND UNS ELECTRIC ("UNS") THROUGHOUT SPRING AND AUTUMN 2023. AMONG THE ISSUES THAT THE CENTER PROVIDED REPRESENTATION FOR WERE ROOFTOP AND COMMUNITY SOLAR, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, PROMOTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERALLY, PROTECTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS IN UTILITY BILLING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR COAL-IMPACTED COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR TRIBAL LANDS IN NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA. WHILE TEP AND UNS HAVE FINAL ADJUDICATIONS ON THE INCREASES, CHALLENGES TO A SOLAR-SPECIFIC "GRID ACCESS CHARGE" ARE STILL PENDING IN THE APS MATTER. 5. IN LATE 2023, THE CENTER BEGAN REPRESENTATION OF PATAGONIA AREA RESOURCE ALLIANCE ("PARA") IN THE CHALLENGE OF AN AQUIFER PROTECTION PERMIT ("APP") ISSUED BY ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO THE SOUTH32 HERMOSA PROJECT, A LARGE MINE IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA THAT PRODUCES, AMONG OTHER MINERALS, LEAD, SILVER, COPPER, AND MANGANESE. THE APP RELIES ON THE QUALITY OF THE WATER DISCHARGED FROM THE MINE'S NEW WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND FAILS TO REQUIRE ACTUAL MONITORING OF THE AQUIFER. AT THE TIME THE CENTER JOINED, PARA HAD ALREADY APPEARED THROUGH PRIVATE COUNSEL AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERIOR COURT LEVELS, AND THE CENTER ASSISTED IN THE APPELLATE PROCESS. THE CASE REMAINS IN THE COURT OF APPEALS. 6. PROPOSITION 211 FILED 12/15/22 (MOSTLY STARTED IN 2023). THE CENTER BEGAN ITS PRO BONO REPRESENTATION OF A GROUP CALLED VOTERS RIGHT TO KNOW, WHICH SUCCESSFULLY PLACED AN INITIATIVE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT TO FORCE DISCLOSURE OF THOSE WHO SPEND SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON ELECTIONS- RELATED ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY THEIR ORIGINAL DONORS. THUS, A GROUP COULD NOT USE A POTENTIALLY DECEPTIVE NAME TO SHIELD THE IDENTITIES OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF DONORS. SEVERAL LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED BY OPPONENTS OF THE BALLOT MEASURE, WHICH WON OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE 2022 ELECTION. THE CENTER IS ACTING AS LOCAL COUNSEL WITH CO-COUNSEL FROM THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER TO DEFEND THE VOTERS RIGHT TO KNOW ACT. AS DESCRIBED IN OTHER MATTERS ABOVE, DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO LEGISLATE THROUGH DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVES IS A CORE MISSION OF THE CENTER. IT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY VINDICATING THE PUBLICS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PUT LEGISLATION ON THE BALLOT. THESE CASES ARE PRESENTLY ON APPEAL AND REMAIN VERY ACTIVE. OUR ROLE CONTINUES TO BE AS LOCAL COUNSEL. 7. THE CENTER IS REPRESENTING SEVERAL CITIZENS GROUPS, PODER LATINX, CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA, AND CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA ACTION FUND IN LITIGATION FILED 8/25/22. THE CENTER IS ACTING AS CO-COUNSEL WITH ATTORNEYS FROM THE FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER AND OTHERS. THE SUIT SEEKS TO INVALIDATE TWO LAWS PASSED BY THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, WHICH REQUIRE CERTAIN TYPES OF PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. THE LAWS ARE WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT VIOLATES BOTH FEDERAL LAW AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THEY ARE LIKELY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST VARIOUS PROTECTED CLASSES OF INDIVIDUALS, PERHAPS MOST NOTABLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS. PROTECTING AGAINST UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO VOTE ARE CORE MISSIONS OF THE CENTER AND OBVIOUSLY SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THESE CASES CONTINUE TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE APPELLATE COURT. IN FACT, AN ISSUE WAS BROUGHT ALL THE WAY TO THE US SUPREME COURT, AND IS PRESENTLY IN THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. 8. SIERRA CLUB V. SRP FILED 6/2/22. THE CENTER REPRESENTS THE SIERRA CLUB IN A SUIT SEEKING TO FORCE SALT RIVER PROJECT (A LARGE UTILITY) TO COMPLY WITH ARIZONAS PUBLIC RECORDS ACT. ARIZONA HAS A STRONG PUBLIC POLICY TO MAKE THE RECORDS OF PUBLIC ENTITIES ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. SRP 794692 true true false false false false false false false true true false false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 2 0 7 true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false X 24 24 false false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true false true true false X X THE ORGANIZATION 6022588850 352 EAST CAMELBACK ROAD SUITE 200 PHOENIX AZ 85012 DANIEL ADELMAN EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 162225 0 0 ANNE C RONAN ATTORNEY 40.00 X 135016 0 0 CHANELE REYES ATTORNEY 40.00 X 122077 0 0 MICHAEL AGUIRRE SECRETARY 0.50 X X 0 0 0 JENNIFER ANDERSON MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 ROBERT BARTELS MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 DR IRENE MARQUEZ BIGGS MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JENNA LAPRADE BOUCHARD MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 REBECCA CAIN MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 PETER DAVIS MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRYN K DEFUSCO MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 STANLEY G FELDMAN MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 LINDSAY FIORE PRESIDENT-EL 0.50 X X 0 0 0 STACY GABRIEL MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 D ANDREW ANDY GAONA MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOY HERR-CARDILLO MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 ADRIANE HOFMEYR PRESIDENT 0.50 X X 0 0 0 EUGENE M KADISH MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 PATRICK W MAUSE MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 HON BRUCE MEYERSON MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 JOEL NOMKIN MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 TIFFANI LUCERO PASTOR TREASURER 0.50 X X 0 0 0 SUSAN M ROTKIS MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 BRUCE SAMUELS MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 TANVEER SHAH MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 LEE STEIN MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 GEOFFREY STURR MEMBER 0.50 X 0 0 0 419318 3 false true false 503548 503548 COURT AWARDED FEES 75000 75000 75000 11571 11571 104647 70535 34112 OTHER INCOME 689 689 689 624920 75689 11571 162225 147625 8111 6489 30675 30675 434174 392337 23243 18594 120533 109685 6027 4821 3788 3788 13523 13523 12665 10810 992 863 29556 26896 1478 1182 1821 1657 91 73 4231 3851 211 169 6733 6127 337 269 CONSULTING 42247 40980 1267 EQUIPMENT & TECHNOLOGY 10984 9995 549 440 BANK CHARGES 10516 10516 MISCELLANEOUS 4211 3830 212 169 6527 6436 50 41 894409 794692 66607 33110 1146241 426981 211082 43781 700185 611219 11370 5101 37485 29171 12545 8314 724724 124717 101064 2206140 1921184 27716 25899 128405 102989 156121 128888 X 598174 421696 1451845 1370600 2050019 1792296 2206140 1921184 X -269489 11766 X false true X true false X 507794 595436 425819 888051 503548 2920648 507794 595436 425819 888051 503548 2920648 542783 2377865 955 831 332 1105 11571 14794 15 100523 20338 53 689 121618 3057060 1404999 0.77780 0.81230 X PART II, LINE 10 OTHER INCOME 121,618 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 211082 32000 437 243519 165859 10000 35223 211082 97130 68510 219 165859 56543 40501 86 97130 56543 56543 1.00000 false false 37485 29171 8314 8314 ROU ASSET 100228 LEASE SECURITY DEPOSITS 836 101064 NET LEASE LIABILITY 102989 102989 707221 11766 70535 82301 624920 624920 964944 70535 70535 894409 894409 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 THE LEGACY IN LAW FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO ENSURE ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST WILL BE THERE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 2D DIRECT COSTS OF SPECIAL EVENT 70,535 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 2D DIRECT COSTS OF SPECIAL EVENT 70,535 ANNUAL EVENT 104647 104647 70535 104647 104647 70535 70535 34112 X X false false false false false false false false false DANIEL ADELMAN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 162225 162225 FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A ADVOCATE FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN AREAS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, HEALTHCARE, CONSUMER PROTECTION, EDUCATION REFORM AND GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY. THE ARIZONA CENTER FOR LAW IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST ONLY LITIGATES CASES THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. IN 2023, OUR CASES ALL SERVED THE BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST. IN ALL OF THE CENTER'S CASES, WE DO NOT CHARGE OUR CLIENTS ATTORNEYS' FEES. ARIZONA DOES RECOGNIZE THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY GENERAL DOCTRINE. UNDER THIS DOCTRINE, OR IF THERE IS A SPECIFIC STATUTE PROVIDING FOR AN AWARD OF FEES FOR THE SUCCESSFUL PARTY, IF THE CENTER IS SUCCESSFUL, THE CENTER WILL SEEK ATTORNEYS' FEES FROM THE ADVERSE PARTY (THE STATE OF ARIZONA). 1. THE CENTER IS LITIGATING A CASE AGAINST THE STATE OF ARIZONA FOR ITS FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY FUND THE CAPITAL NEEDS OF ARIZONAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THIS CASE IS ACTUALLY A FOLLOW UP CASE TO ONE THAT THE CENTER SUCCESSFULLY LITIGATED 30 YEARS AGO. AS A RESULT OF THAT CASE, FUNDS WERE PROVIDED TO BRING ALL DILAPIDATED SCHOOLS UP TO STANDARD, AND MONEY WAS TO BE PROVIDED TO KEEP ALL SCHOOLS IN GOOD SHAPE. THE LEGISLATURE SUBSEQUENTLY DE-FUNDED MOST OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WERE ESTABLISHED AS PART OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE OLD CASE, AND ARIZONA IS ONCE AGAIN IN A SYSTEM UNDER WHICH A SCHOOL DISTRICTS ABILITY TO MEET ITS CAPITAL NEEDS DEPENDS TO A VERY LARGE EXTENT ON THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WEALTH IN THE DISTRICT. IF THE CENTER IS SUCCESSFUL, THEN THE STATE WILL BE FORCED TO IMPLEMENT A SYSTEM THAT COMPLIES WITH THE GENERAL AND UNIFORM CLAUSE IN THE ARIZONA CONSTITUTION. THIS CASE WILL HELP THE APPROXIMATELY 900,000 TO 1,000,000 CHILDREN IN ARIZONAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS. THE CASE IS CAPTIONED, GLENDALE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DISTRICT V. STATE OF ARIZONA. THE NAMED PLAINTIFFS ARE FOUR ARIZONA SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS WELL AS THE ARIZONA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION, THE ARIZONA SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS ASSOCIATION, THE ARIZONA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION, AND AN INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER. 2. THE CENTER SUCCESSFULLY LITIGATED A CASE AGAINST THE STATE OF ARIZONA ON BEHALF OF ALL OF ARIZONAS FOSTER CHILDREN. THIS CASE IS A CLASS ACTION, WHERE IN ADDITION TO THE GENERAL CLASS OF ALL FOSTER CHILDREN THERE ARE SUBCLASSES THAT PERTAIN TO SUBSETS OF CHILDREN (E.G., THOSE WHO RECEIVE MEDICAID SERVICES, AND THOSE WHO ARE PLACED IN NON-KINSHIP SETTINGS). THE BASIS OF THE CASE WAS THAT THE STATE FAILS TO PROVIDE REASONABLE AND APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO ARIZONAS FOSTER CHILDREN. THE STATE FAILS TO ASSURE THAT FOSTER CHILDREN RECEIVE APPROPRIATE MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CARE. THE STATE UNREASONABLY PLACES CHILDREN IN CONGREGATE CARE SETTINGS (WHICH ARE BAD FOR CHILDREN), UNREASONABLY SEPARATES SIBLINGS, FAILS TO TIMELY AND ADEQUATELY INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE OF CHILDREN WHILE IN CARE, AND MANY OTHER DEFICIENT PRACTICES. THE STATE VIGOROUSLY CONTESTED WHETHER THIS CASE MAY PROCEED AS A CLASS ACTION. THE CENTER (AND CO-COUNSEL) HAVE ACHIEVED VICTORIES ON THIS QUESTION IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA, AND THAT RULING WAS LARGELY AFFIRMED ON APPEAL IN THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. THE CASE IS KNOWN AS B.K. V. MCKAY AND THE STATE OF ARIZONA. THE CASE SEEKS BROAD RELIEF ON BEHALF OF ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE FOSTER CHILDREN, AND OBVIOUSLY SERVES A BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST. THE PARTIES ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE DISTRICT COURT IN EARLY 2021. THE CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO BE INVOLVED IN MONITORING COMPLIANCE WITH THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT. MONITORING IS ONGOING. ATTORNEY FEES FOR MONITORING RECEIVED 11/15/23 - 75,000. 3. IN 2023, THE CENTER CONTINUED ITS WORK APPEALING RULINGS PERTAINING TO THE STATE OF ARIZONAS REFUSAL TO HOLD IN TRUST THE LAND THAT WAS UNDER ARIZONAS NAVIGABLE RIVERS AT THE TIME THAT ARIZONA BECAME A STATE. ARIZONA HAS ATTEMPTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO CLAIM THAT ITS RIVERS WERE NOT NAVIGABLE AT STATEHOOD, WHICH WOULD MEAN THAT ARIZONA COULD ESSENTIALLY GIVE THAT LAND AWAY TO PRIVATE LANDOWNERS. THE CENTER HAS CONTENDED ON BEHALF OF ITS CLIENTS THAT ARIZONA MUST HOLD THAT LAND IN TRUST FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL ARIZONANS IN PERPETUITY. THE CENTER HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN BLOCKING THE STATES ATTEMPTS IN THIS REGARD SEVERAL TIMES IN ARIZONAS COURT SYSTEM OVER THE PAST APPROXIMATELY 20 YEARS. AS A RESULT OF THOSE CASES, ARIZONA CONVENED AN ADJUDICATION COMMISSION, WHICH RULED THAT VARIOUS RIVERS WERE NOT NAVIGABLE. THE CENTER IS APPEALING THOSE RULINGS IN A CASE KNOWS AS DEFENDERS OF WILDLIFE, DONALD STEUTER, JERRY VAN GASSE, AND JIM VAALER V. ARIZONA NAVIGABLE STREAM ADJUDICATION COMMISSION. THE CASE SERVES A BROAD PUBLIC INTEREST IN THAT IT SEEKS TO PRESERVE THESE PRECIOUS PUBLIC RESOURCES AND TO FORCE THE STATE TO HOLD THEM IN TRUST FOR THE PUBLIC NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. (NOTE: IN 2023 THE CENTER RECEIVED A RULING ON THIS CASE. NO FEES WERE AWARDED. THE APPELLATE COURT RULING DENIED MOST RELIEF SOUGHT, BUT GRANTED PARTIAL RELIEF.) WE CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE CONDUCT OF THE STATE FOLLOWING THE COURT OF APPEALS' RULING. 4. IN 2023, THE CENTER REPRESENTED MULTIPLE INTERVENORS IN THREE UTILITY RATE CASES BEFORE THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION. UTILITIES THAT SEEK RATE INCREASES ARE REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR APPROVAL FROM THE ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION. SEVERAL WEEKS OF HEARINGS WERE HELD FOR PROPOSED INCREASES BY TUCSON ELECTRIC POWER ("TEP"), ARIZONA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY ("APS"), AND UNS ELECTRIC ("UNS") THROUGHOUT SPRING AND AUTUMN 2023. AMONG THE ISSUES THAT THE CENTER PROVIDED REPRESENTATION FOR WERE ROOFTOP AND COMMUNITY SOLAR, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, PROMOTION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERALLY, PROTECTIONS FOR LOW-INCOME CONSUMERS IN UTILITY BILLING, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FOR COAL-IMPACTED COMMUNITIES ON AND NEAR TRIBAL LANDS IN NORTHEASTERN ARIZONA. WHILE TEP AND UNS HAVE FINAL ADJUDICATIONS ON THE INCREASES, CHALLENGES TO A SOLAR-SPECIFIC "GRID ACCESS CHARGE" ARE STILL PENDING IN THE APS MATTER. 5. IN LATE 2023, THE CENTER BEGAN REPRESENTATION OF PATAGONIA AREA RESOURCE ALLIANCE ("PARA") IN THE CHALLENGE OF AN AQUIFER PROTECTION PERMIT ("APP") ISSUED BY ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY TO THE SOUTH32 HERMOSA PROJECT, A LARGE MINE IN SOUTHEASTERN ARIZONA THAT PRODUCES, AMONG OTHER MINERALS, LEAD, SILVER, COPPER, AND MANGANESE. THE APP RELIES ON THE QUALITY OF THE WATER DISCHARGED FROM THE MINE'S NEW WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND FAILS TO REQUIRE ACTUAL MONITORING OF THE AQUIFER. AT THE TIME THE CENTER JOINED, PARA HAD ALREADY APPEARED THROUGH PRIVATE COUNSEL AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPERIOR COURT LEVELS, AND THE CENTER ASSISTED IN THE APPELLATE PROCESS. THE CASE REMAINS IN THE COURT OF APPEALS. 6. PROPOSITION 211 FILED 12/15/22 (MOSTLY STARTED IN 2023). THE CENTER BEGAN ITS PRO BONO REPRESENTATION OF A GROUP CALLED VOTERS RIGHT TO KNOW, WHICH SUCCESSFULLY PLACED AN INITIATIVE MEASURE ON THE BALLOT TO FORCE DISCLOSURE OF THOSE WHO SPEND SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF MONEY ON ELECTIONS- RELATED ACTIVITIES TO IDENTIFY THEIR ORIGINAL DONORS. THUS, A GROUP COULD NOT USE A POTENTIALLY DECEPTIVE NAME TO SHIELD THE IDENTITIES OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF DONORS. SEVERAL LAWSUITS HAVE BEEN FILED BY OPPONENTS OF THE BALLOT MEASURE, WHICH WON OVERWHELMING SUPPORT IN THE 2022 ELECTION. THE CENTER IS ACTING AS LOCAL COUNSEL WITH CO-COUNSEL FROM THE CAMPAIGN LEGAL CENTER TO DEFEND THE VOTERS RIGHT TO KNOW ACT. AS DESCRIBED IN OTHER MATTERS ABOVE, DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE TO LEGISLATE THROUGH DIRECT DEMOCRACY INITIATIVES IS A CORE MISSION OF THE CENTER. IT SERVES THE PUBLIC INTEREST BY VINDICATING THE PUBLICS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO PUT LEGISLATION ON THE BALLOT. THESE CASES ARE PRESENTLY ON APPEAL AND REMAIN VERY ACTIVE. OUR ROLE CONTINUES TO BE AS LOCAL COUNSEL. 7. THE CENTER IS REPRESENTING SEVERAL CITIZENS GROUPS, PODER LATINX, CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA, AND CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA ACTION FUND IN LITIGATION FILED 8/25/22. THE CENTER IS ACTING AS CO-COUNSEL WITH ATTORNEYS FROM THE FAIR ELECTIONS CENTER AND OTHERS. THE SUIT SEEKS TO INVALIDATE TWO LAWS PASSED BY THE ARIZONA LEGISLATURE, WHICH REQUIRE CERTAIN TYPES OF PROOF OF RESIDENCY AND CITIZENSHIP IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. THE LAWS ARE WRITTEN IN A WAY THAT VIOLATES BOTH FEDERAL LAW AND THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. THEY ARE LIKELY TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST VARIOUS PROTECTED CLASSES OF INDIVIDUALS, PERHAPS MOST NOTABLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS. PROTECTING AGAINST UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION AND PROTECTING THE RIGHT OF CITIZENS TO VOTE ARE CORE MISSIONS OF THE CENTER AND OBVIOUSLY SERVE THE PUBLIC INTEREST. THESE CASES CONTINUE TO WORK THEIR WAY THROUGH THE APPELLATE COURT. IN FACT, AN ISSUE WAS BROUGHT ALL THE WAY TO THE US SUPREME COURT, AND IS PRESENTLY IN THE 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS. 8. SIERRA CLUB V. SRP FILED 6/2/22. THE CENTER REPRESENTS THE SIERRA CLUB IN A SUIT SEEKING TO FORCE SALT RIVER PROJECT (A LARGE UTILITY) TO COMPLY WITH ARIZONAS PUBLIC RECORDS ACT. ARIZONA HAS A STRONG PUBLIC POLICY TO MAKE THE RECORDS OF PUBLIC ENTITIES ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC. SRP FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 7A BOARD MEMBERS ELECT NEW BOARD MEMBERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND TREASURER REVIEW AND DISTRIBUTE TO BOARD MEMBERS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITORS AND ENFORCES COMPLIANCE WITH ITS CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD TREASURER REVIEWED COMPENSATION SURVEYS FROM THE STATE BAR OF ARIZONA AND OTHER SOURCES TO DETERMINE THAT THE SALARY FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS REASONABLE. THAT INFORMATION WAS SHARED WITH, AND DISCUSSED BY, BOARD MEMBERS AT ONE OF THE BOARDS MEETINGS. THE REVIEW AND SUBSTANTIATION IS DOCUMENTED IN THE BOARDS RECORDS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15B THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DETERMINES COMPENSATION FOR STAFF SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE BOARD. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION IN OUR OFFICE AND UPON REQUEST BY ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 DIRECT COSTS OF SPECIAL EVENT 70,535 DIRECT COSTS OF SPECIAL EVENT -70,535