Rep. Ralph Heap

Maddy summaryHB 2684 prohibits pedestrians from congregating or soliciting (e.g., asking for money) on traffic islands, medians, highway ramps, or unsafe locations without sidewalks. It directly affects pedestrians who gather in these specific high-risk areas, such as busy roadways or unprotected medians. The bill establishes a tiered enforcement approach: a first violation receives only a warning, a second violation is a civil traffic violation (likely involving a fine), and third or subsequent violations are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor. The law aims to improve pedestrian safety by restricting gathering in locations where pedestrians face significant traffic dangers.

Maddy summaryHB 2552 amends Arizona wildlife laws to explicitly prohibit rules that would ban the use of dogs for hunting. It directly affects hunters using dogs and wildlife management commissions by requiring that commission rules "shall not prohibit the use of dogs to take wildlife." The bill adds a new requirement for the commission to consider economic impacts on resource-dependent communities when making wildlife management policies. Key provisions include clarifying that hunters may legally use dogs to take wildlife and mandating that economic impact assessments be part of rulemaking processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2869 allows property owners or their contractors to hire licensed independent providers (not affiliated with them) to review building permit applications or conduct inspections instead of using municipal staff. The bill requires these providers to carry professional liability insurance ($2 million/$4 million coverage for projects under $5 million) and mandates municipalities to reduce application/inspection fees by the amount they save. It sets a 5-business-day timeline for municipalities to approve applications reviewed by independent providers or provide written reasons for rejection, with automatic approval if deadlines pass. The law directly affects property developers, contractors, and municipalities in Arizona, streamlining permitting while ensuring provider accountability and cost savings for applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 2113 prohibits displaying most flags on Arizona public property, applying only to state and local government entities (including schools and agencies). The bill allows specific exceptions: the American flag (per federal guidelines), POW/MIA flag, Arizona state flag, tribal flags, first responder flags (with design rules), and service flags like blue/gold star flags. It does not restrict flag displays by private individuals or entities. The law aims to standardize flag usage on government property while preserving recognized symbols.

Maddy summaryHCR 2014 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Arizona's House of Representatives seats are designated and establish an independent redistricting commission. Starting in 2027, each legislative district would elect two representatives whose seats would be labeled "A" and "B" based on the alphabetical order of their names (surname then first name), requiring candidates to run for a specific seat. It also creates a five-member independent redistricting commission with strict rules to ensure political balance (no more than two members from the same party) and requires members to have been registered voters for at least three years without recent political office or lobbying roles. This amendment must be approved by Arizona voters to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2846 amends Arizona's chiropractic regulations by clarifying key definitions and procedures. It defines terms like "advisory letter" (non-disciplinary notices for minor violations), "chiropractic assistant" (unlicensed staff under supervision), and "business entity" (non-licensed organizations offering chiropractic services). The bill also specifies board powers, including setting fees through public hearings and requiring chiropractors to pass jurisprudence exams. These changes directly affect chiropractors, chiropractic assistants, and the state board by standardizing licensing requirements and disciplinary processes. The bill focuses on regulatory clarity rather than introducing new restrictions.

Maddy summaryHB 2840 amends Arizona's chiropractic licensing law to clarify and expand grounds for disciplinary action against licensed chiropractors. It directly affects all Arizona chiropractors by prohibiting specific unethical or unsafe practices, including deceptive advertising (e.g., hiding service details in price ads), improper fee splitting with other health professionals, soliciting accident victims within 15 days of injury, and misrepresenting treatment outcomes. The bill also strengthens investigation procedures, allowing the board to require medical/mental evaluations during probes and issue advisory letters for minor violations. These changes aim to protect patients by setting clearer standards for chiropractic conduct and enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2930 creates a state fund to help county sheriffs' departments and municipal police departments purchase ballistic shields that protect against high-powered firearms. Law enforcement agencies receiving funds must contribute a 50% match from their own resources. The bill appropriates $2 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026, with the funds continuously available to avoid expiration under standard appropriation rules. This directly affects local law enforcement agencies that employ certified peace officers in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 would have amended Arizona election law to update rules for polling places and early voting. It required counties to adjust precinct boundaries if early voting ballots might reduce in-person turnout at specific locations, allowed voting centers (where voters can cast ballots at any location in the county), and established procedures for emergency voting centers during elections. The bill also updated school polling place requirements, mandated voter notification for polling place changes, and addressed ballot tabulation deadlines for early voting. Passed by the legislature in February 2025, the bill was vetoed by the governor the same month.

Maddy summaryHCM 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.