HB 2753 modifies groundwater replenishment rules for landowners in Pinal Active Management Area (AMA) served by municipal water providers. It allows municipal providers with an "assured water supply" designation to choose whether to retain or assume their member landowners' groundwater replenishment obligations. If they choose to assume the obligations, they must gradually take on 10% more each year over a decade, starting at 10% in year one, until all obligations are fully transferred. Once fully assumed (within 10 years), the water provider stops reporting to the district for those lands, and landowners no longer owe replenishment requirements.
HB 2370 requires life care facilities in Arizona to place resident entrance fees into a secure escrow account before occupancy. It establishes specific conditions for when funds can be released to providers (e.g., after facility construction is complete or a new resident moves in) and mandates refunds be processed within 60 days of a resident vacating, using a sequential numbering system to prioritize refunds. The bill directly affects residents who pay entrance fees for senior living facilities and the facilities themselves, ensuring timely refunds when residents leave. It applies to all contracts entered into on or after December 31, 2025, and amends Arizona Revised Statutes section 20-1804.
HB 2928 requires Arizona cities with over 75,000 residents to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family residential lots without special permits or public hearings. The bill mandates cities to permit at least one attached and one detached ADU per lot, with size limits of 75% of the main house’s floor area or 1,000 square feet (whichever is smaller), and requires one affordable ADU (rented to households earning ≤80% of area median income) on lots of one acre or more. It prohibits cities from imposing restrictions like requiring owner-occupant relationships, extra parking, matching architectural styles, or stricter setbacks for ADUs compared to main homes. If a city fails to adopt these rules by January 1, 2025, ADUs will be permitted without limits across all residential zones in that city.
HB 2679 establishes a new framework for Arizona public power entities (like municipal utilities) to finance infrastructure upgrades by issuing "Transition Bonds." These bonds are secured by future customer payments called "Financing Charges," which become nonbypassable fees added to all customers' utility bills until the costs are fully recovered. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "Financing Charges," "Qualified Special Purpose Entity," and "Transition Bonds," ensuring these payments cannot be avoided regardless of the customer's service provider or asset ownership. This mechanism allows public power entities to shift financing costs to customers over time rather than relying solely on traditional rate increases.
HB 2887 allows owners of vehicles exclusively powered by alternative fuels (like electricity or hydrogen) to obtain special license plates or diamond-shaped stickers. These vehicles can use high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes at any time, regardless of passenger count, without penalty. To qualify, vehicles must be incapable of running on conventional fuel, and owners must provide proof of certification (from dealers or environmental quality agencies) and pay an $8 fee. The bill also requires the state to map public alternative fuel stations and imposes a $350 penalty for misuse of the sticker on non-qualifying vehicles.
HB 2303 allows electronic signatures on powers of attorney for total loss vehicle settlements in Arizona, removing the prior requirement for notarization. The electronic signature must be validated using a system meeting NIST Identity Assurance Level 2 or higher (without biometrics) and must include a notation confirming the authentication method. This change directly affects insurance companies licensed under Title 20, the Department of Transportation, and individuals handling vehicle title transfers for total loss claims. It streamlines the settlement process by enabling digital transactions without in-person notarization for these specific cases.
HB 2728 amends Arizona's DUI law to allow judges to suspend most of a 10-day jail sentence for DUI convictions if the defendant completes a court-ordered alcohol or drug treatment program. This alternative treatment option directly affects individuals convicted of DUI under Arizona Revised Statutes §28-1381, offering a path to reduced incarceration through mandated screening, education, or therapy. The bill maintains existing penalties like $250 fines, $500 assessments for prison and public safety funds, and ignition interlock device requirements, but permits judges to suspend all but one day of the mandatory jail term upon successful program completion. The law applies to standard DUI cases (not commercial vehicle or ride-share driver offenses) and became effective after being signed by the governor in May 2025.
HB 2129 establishes an "active early voting list" for Arizona voters who want to automatically receive mail-in ballots for all elections. Voters must submit a written request with their name, address, date of birth, and signature to join the list; county election officials verify this request and send notices 90 days before elections. The bill allows voters to update addresses, opt out of receiving ballots, or choose a political party for primary elections via these notices. If voters fail to vote in two consecutive election cycles or don't respond to notices, they are removed from the list. It also requires candidates withdrawing from races to submit a notarized withdrawal statement to election officials.
HB 2068 clarifies definitions related to assistance animals in Arizona housing law and protects landlords from liability when allowing such animals as reasonable accommodations. The bill defines "assistance animal" to include untrained animals providing therapeutic support for people with disabilities (distinct from service animals, limited to dogs/miniature horses), and adds Section 41-1497.38 stating landlords cannot be held liable for injuries caused by animals permitted under this accommodation. It directly affects landlords, tenants with disabilities, and housing discrimination enforcement under Arizona law. The law does not change disability definitions or accommodation processes but explicitly shields landlords from liability when complying with these rules.
HB 2281 establishes Arizona's "Turquoise Alert" system to quickly respond to missing persons cases. It requires the state department to issue alerts when law enforcement confirms a missing person under 65 is in danger due to suspicious circumstances, after exhausting local resources. The alert system shares critical recovery information with the public and other notification entities. This directly affects missing persons under 65 with unexplained or dangerous situations, including members of federally recognized tribes as defined by the bill.
SB 1624 establishes a new "youth charity special plate" for Arizona vehicle owners, requiring a $25 annual fee per plate. Of this fee, $17 is directed to a dedicated youth charity fund, while $8 covers administrative costs. A sponsor must pay the state $32,000 upfront to design the plate (subject to state approval) and initiate the program. Vehicle owners may also combine this option with personalized plate requests, with additional fees applying.
HB 2170 requires Arizona public schools to document whether a student with a specific learning disability has been diagnosed with dyslexia in their individualized education program (IEP). This directly affects students with dyslexia and their IEP teams, including parents and educators. The bill clarifies that students with special education needs, including dyslexia, are not automatically required to pass certain standardized tests to graduate unless their IEP team specifically agrees to this requirement after parental discussion. It also ensures testing accommodations are included in IEPs and maintains that special education services remain free for families.
