Rep. Junelle Cavero

Maddy summaryHB 2709 limits landlord fees and requires clearer rental disclosures in Arizona. Landlords cannot charge for background checks if renters provide their own credit reports, may not charge more than the actual screening cost, and cannot charge multiple application fees within a year. Landlords must provide written disclosures before tenancy, including all mandatory fees, rent amounts, due dates, and optional costs (like trash valet or smart device upgrades), and include these details in all rental ads and websites. This directly affects Arizona landlords and renters by reducing unexpected costs and increasing transparency in rental agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2567 requires online lodging platforms (like Airbnb or Vrbo) to verify that listed properties comply with all local laws before offering them for rent in Arizona. Platforms failing this verification face $250 civil penalties per day per violation. Cities, towns, and counties can enforce this rule, collect penalties, and report violations to the state tax department. The bill directly affects online lodging platforms and property hosts by mandating compliance checks before listing rentals.

Maddy summaryHB 2297, the "Arizona Ban on Scholarship Displacement Act of 2026," prevents Arizona public colleges and universities from reducing a student's free financial aid (like grants or scholarships not requiring repayment) if the student receives a private scholarship. Specifically, institutions cannot lower gift aid because of a private scholarship, except when the gift aid exceeds the student's actual cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, living expenses, etc.). The bill also prohibits schools from factoring private scholarships into financial aid decisions. It directly affects Arizona public universities and community colleges (under the Arizona Board of Regents or community college system) and students receiving private scholarships from non-governmental sources.

Maddy summaryHB 2563 repeals two Arizona statutes (9-500.38 and 11-269.16) and modifies Section 44-1648 to clarify that while the state preempts statewide registration of scrap metal dealers, local governments (cities, towns, counties) may still enforce business licensing systems that include background checks or fingerprinting for owners. The bill ensures scrap metal dealers with valid licenses issued before September 13, 2013, remain compliant without needing to reapply, unless an event triggers a required amendment under local rules. It directly affects scrap metal dealers operating in Arizona by standardizing licensing requirements between state and local authorities. The bill focuses on regulatory clarity rather than creating new policy, maintaining existing license validity while allowing local background checks.

Maddy summaryHB 2316 allows Arizona middle schools (grades 6-8) to offer career technical education (CTE) courses that count toward both 8th-grade promotion and high school graduation. Schools must partner with approved CTE providers like community colleges or state-approved programs, and students must pass courses to earn credit. The bill requires schools to report course offerings and completions annually, with a final report due by 2029, and expires in 2037. It permits CTE districts to fund middle school CTE courses without raising property taxes but prohibits counting middle school students in district enrollment totals.

Maddy summaryHB 2559 requires Arizona health insurance plans (including hospital service corporations, health care organizations, and disability insurers) to cover behavioral health services - such as mental health and substance use disorder treatment - starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates insurers to provide out-of-network coverage with cost protections if in-network providers aren’t available within specific timeframes: 30 days for routine care, 7 days for residential care, and 24 hours for emergencies. Patients cannot pay more than their in-network copay, coinsurance, or deductible for these services, and insurers must document out-of-network payments for state review. This directly affects millions of Arizonans with insurance coverage for behavioral health needs.

Maddy summaryHB 2558 requires Arizona health insurers to cover scalp cooling systems for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, starting January 1, 2027. The bill mandates that hospital service corporations, health care services organizations, disability insurers, and group disability insurers must provide coverage for these systems when used alongside cancer-related chemotherapy treatment. A "scalp cooling system" is defined as a medical device designed to prevent or reduce hair loss during chemo, intended for repeated use and primarily for medical purposes. This policy directly affects cancer patients receiving chemotherapy in Arizona and insurers offering related coverage. The law creates a new coverage requirement without altering existing treatment standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2711 modifies how Arizona allocates unclaimed property funds, such as abandoned bank accounts and stocks, that would otherwise go to the state general fund. It directs 55% of these funds to the housing trust fund, with 40% of that portion (22% of total funds) specifically reserved for rural housing development. The bill also specifies that $2 million goes to a trust fund for housing the seriously mentally ill, $2.5 million to the general housing trust fund, and $24.5 million to the department of revenue's administrative fund. This policy change affects state fund distribution without directly altering individual rights or services.

Maddy summaryHB 2295 raises Arizona's minimum wage to $18 per hour by January 1, 2027, with scheduled increases from $10 in 2017 up to $12 in 2020. After 2020, the wage will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (measuring cost-of-living changes) to maintain its value. The bill also allows employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour, provided total tips plus wages meet the minimum wage requirement. This applies to most hourly workers in Arizona covered by state minimum wage law, including those in restaurants and service industries. The bill requires a three-fourths legislative vote to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2301 prohibits businesses from charging more than 10% above pre-emergency prices for essential goods (like food, water, medical supplies, and rent) during a declared state of emergency. It classifies violations as felonies: selling over $500 worth of such goods in 24 hours during an emergency is a class 5 felony, while under $500 is a class 6 felony. The Arizona Attorney General is authorized to investigate and enforce these rules under existing consumer protection laws. This bill directly affects businesses selling essential commodities during emergencies, not the general public.