Rep. Selina Bliss

Maddy summarySB 1686 clarifies that the county recorder is the "officer in charge of elections" for Arizona counties, directly affecting county election officials. It updates rules for establishing election precinct boundaries and designating polling places, requiring county recorders to set boundaries by October 1 before elections and follow specific guidelines for combining precincts or using voting centers. The bill also mandates that public schools must provide space for polling places unless principals deny requests with written reasons like lack of space or safety concerns. These changes aim to standardize election administration procedures for county recorders managing polling locations.

Maddy summaryHB 2731 allows cities or towns owning historically irrigated land in Arizona's Big Chino subbasin (part of the Verde River groundwater basin) to transport groundwater to adjacent areas or the Verde River headwaters. It sets limits: annual withdrawals cannot exceed twice a calculated "allotment" based on retired irrigated acres (1975-1990), or ten times that allotment over ten years. The bill also includes a specific provision for Prescott-area cities/towns: they may transport additional groundwater if they relinquish Central Arizona Project water and finalize a federally-approved settlement of tribal water rights. This directly affects local governments managing water rights in the Big Chino subbasin, with concrete limits tied to historical land use.

Maddy summaryHB 2766 requires Arizona cities and towns to apply municipal sales taxes uniformly to all food items (without differential rates), while exempting most food for home consumption, food packaging, and sales paid with SNAP benefits. It specifically excludes candy, confectionaries, soft drinks, and soda from the general food exemption, ensuring these remain taxable. The bill also exempts low-cost food sales to vulnerable groups (elderly, homeless, disabled) when purchased using SNAP benefits through approved programs. This amendment, effective January 1, 2026, modifies existing tax code to standardize food taxation and expand specific exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2697 requires municipalities and county boards to deny building permits for new residential lease communities (defined as six or more detached homes offered under a common lease plan) in water-stressed areas unless applicants provide proof of water supply. Specifically, applicants must obtain a certificate of assured water supply from Arizona’s Department of Water Resources or a written commitment from a designated water provider, and pay required fees. The law exempts existing communities or those that applied for zoning entitlements by September 30, 2025. It directly affects developers and property owners planning new multi-unit lease properties in designated water management areas. The bill aims to ensure new developments have verified water access before construction begins.

Maddy summaryHB 2580 amends Arizona law to require certain individuals convicted of specific sex offenses against minors to register with local law enforcement. It directly affects people convicted of crimes like sexual abuse of minors (§13-1404), child sex trafficking (§13-3212), or repeated indecent exposure (§13-1402), as well as juveniles adjudicated for similar offenses. Key provisions include a 10-day registration deadline after conviction or 72 hours after entering a county, mandatory submission of address details, vehicle information, online identifiers, and child custody data. The bill also requires registration for non-residents working or studying in Arizona for more than 14 consecutive days annually. Registration duties for juveniles end at age 25, and courts may terminate registration after probation completion or a hearing.

Maddy summaryHB 2310 establishes an "Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) Compact" to simplify interstate practice for nurses. It allows APRNs licensed in one participating state (their "home state") to practice in other participating states ("remote states") without obtaining separate licenses, using their home state's license. The bill creates uniform licensing requirements, requires states to share disciplinary information, and ensures nurses remain accountable under the laws of the state where the patient is located. This directly affects APRNs, healthcare systems, and patients seeking care across state lines, reducing administrative barriers while maintaining public safety standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2579 would require lifetime registration on Arizona's sex offender registry for individuals convicted of 22 specific offenses, primarily those involving minors, such as child molestation, trafficking, sexual abuse, and certain assaults. It applies to people convicted of offenses listed in the bill (e.g., sexual conduct with a minor, child prostitution, or commercial sexual exploitation of a minor) who reside in Arizona or work/study there for extended periods. The bill removes previous time limits for registration, making it permanent for these offenses instead of allowing termination after age 25 or probation completion. This directly affects individuals convicted of the specified crimes, requiring ongoing registry compliance regardless of prior exceptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2132 requires Arizona outpatient surgical centers and hospitals to implement policies ensuring a registered nurse trained in perioperative care (a "circulator" nurse) is physically present in the operating room for the entire duration of every surgical procedure, effective by January 1, 2026. This directly affects healthcare facilities and their surgical teams by mandating specific staffing protocols during operations. The circulator nurse must coordinate patient safety and support the surgical team throughout the procedure, as defined in the bill. The Arizona Department of Health will enforce this requirement during facility inspections and when addressing related complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 2224 prohibits intentionally feeding wildlife in Arizona counties with over 280,000 residents, except for hunters, wildlife management staff, farmers, or feeding squirrels/birds. In cities with over 100,000 people, violations carry a $1,000 fine instead of a minor penalty. The law targets human feeding that disrupts wildlife behavior or creates safety risks. It directly affects residents, businesses, and visitors in large urban counties and cities.

Maddy summaryHB 2520 amends Arizona's duress defense law to limit when a defendant can claim they committed a crime due to threats of immediate physical force. Specifically, the defense cannot be used if the defendant intentionally created the situation where they faced duress, or for offenses involving homicide, serious physical injury, or certain violent crimes like aggravated assault or sexual offenses. This change directly affects criminal defendants in cases where they attempt to justify their actions using duress as a legal defense. The bill clarifies that the duress defense is unavailable for the most serious violent offenses, making it harder for defendants to avoid responsibility for those acts.