HB 2923 modifies Arizona family court procedures for parenting time disputes involving alleged domestic violence or abuse. It requires courts to admit expert witness testimony only from professionals with specific clinical experience helping domestic violence victims (not just forensic expertise), and limits such testimony to scientifically validated methods. The bill explicitly prohibits using polygraph results, voice-stress analysis, or other unproven psychological measures in these cases. This affects parents, courts, and experts in custody proceedings where domestic violence allegations are raised under Arizona law.
HB 2854 creates a new Hopi Tribe special license plate program. It requires a one-time $32,000 payment to the Arizona Department of Transportation for implementation, after which the payer designs the plate (subject to department approval). The program includes a $25 annual fee per plate, with $17 designated as an annual donation to the Hopi Tribe. This special plate option can be combined with personalized plate requests, but only applies to vehicles registered under the Hopi Tribe's specific arrangement. The bill directly affects Hopi Tribe members and anyone funding the plate design.
HB 2860 requires Arizona's auditor general to review the Department of Revenue's (DOR) staffing and compensation issues, directly affecting DOR operations. The review must identify vacant positions, how long they've been unfilled, and how much pay for current roles lags behind market rates. The auditor general must submit a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by December 31, 2025, and the law expires June 30, 2026. This bill mandates a specific evaluation of DOR staffing gaps without altering existing laws or creating new programs.
HB 2851 amends Arizona law to clarify that juvenile courts have exclusive jurisdiction over "education protection orders" and "ex parte emergency education protection orders" when the person involved is under 18 years old. The bill directly affects minors under 18 who seek or face such orders related to education access or safety. Key provisions specify that these cases must be handled in juvenile court (not adult court) and require confidentiality for related records, aligning with federal privacy standards (FERPA). The bill does not change education policies but defines court procedures for these specific protective orders.
HB 2835 requires mandatory settlement conferences for certain eviction cases in Arizona before a trial can proceed. It applies to landlords seeking eviction for unpaid rent (under ARS 33-1368(B)) or material lease violations (under ARS 33-1368(A)), mandating that both parties attend a court meeting five days after the eviction notice is served. At the conference, they must bring lease agreements, payment records, and other relevant documents; failure to attend results in dismissal (landlord) or default judgment (tenant). If unresolved, the case moves to an eviction hearing five business days after the conference, streamlining the process while requiring courts to track and report settlement outcomes.
HB 2921 requires landlords in Arizona to include the website address for azcourthelp.org (a free legal aid resource) in all written notices to tenants about lease violations or termination. This affects landlords who must add the website link to notices under Section 33-1368 and tenants who gain direct access to legal assistance resources. The bill does not change eviction procedures or tenant obligations but mandates this specific informational addition to notices. It applies to all residential rental agreements governed by Arizona law.
HB 2849 requires all Arizona employers to offer a dependent care assistance program meeting federal standards under 26 U.S. Code § 129. This law directly affects every employer in Arizona by mandating they provide this benefit to employees, which helps cover costs for childcare or elder care. The program must align with the federal tax-advantaged structure outlined in the referenced U.S. Code section. The requirement becomes effective January 1, 2027, giving employers time to implement the change.
HB 2856 allows eligible Arizonans to petition a court to seal their criminal arrest, conviction, and sentencing records after meeting specific conditions. To qualify, a person must complete all sentence terms (including paying fines, restitution, and waiting a set period - 2 to 10 years depending on offense severity) or have charges dismissed, not filed, or resulted in a not guilty verdict. The court must wait 60 days after a petition is filed (unless the prosecutor and victims object) and may grant sealing only if it serves the person's and public safety's best interests. Once sealed, these records are generally not accessible for most public or legal purposes, though limited exceptions apply for specific legal proceedings like impeachment or sentencing enhancements.
HB 2912, the "Wage Antidiscrimination Act," prohibits Arizona employers from asking about a job applicant’s past salary or using salary history to screen candidates before making a job offer. It also protects employees who discuss wages or raise concerns about pay discrimination from retaliation. Employers violating the law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and may be sued for damages, including lost wages and attorney fees. The bill strengthens existing equal pay laws by banning employers from using prior salary as a defense in discrimination cases and requires employers to include wage rights in employee handbooks.
HCM 2016 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) passed by the Arizona House of Representatives. It urges the U.S. Congress to support the Palo Verde Generating Station, Arizona's largest nuclear power plant, highlighting its role as a major clean energy source (supplying 70% of Arizona's carbon-free energy), economic contributor ($2.3 billion annual impact), and employer (2,000+ full-time workers). The resolution cites the plant's use of recycled water, lower costs compared to solar, and public support for nuclear energy (56% in a 2024 survey) to make its case. It does not create new policy but requests congressional recognition and support for the facility.
HB 2845 requires Arizona election officials to randomly verify 5% of candidate petition signatures within 20 days of filing. County recorders must then disqualify signatures meeting specific criteria (e.g., missing addresses, illegible signatures, invalid voter status) within 15 days and report results to the filing officer and candidate committees. This process applies directly to candidates needing petition signatures for office, standardizing verification without changing eligibility requirements.
HB 2937 renames Arizona's state holiday previously called "Columbus Indigenous Peoples' Day" to simply "Indigenous Peoples' Day" in the state's official holidays list. This change directly affects state employees and public institutions, which observe the holiday as a paid day off. The bill only modifies the holiday's name in Arizona Revised Statutes §1-301, leaving all other holiday dates and observance rules unchanged. It does not create new programs, funding, or requirements - only updates the designated name for the second Monday in October.
