Rep. Oscar De Los Santos

Maddy summaryHB 2478 establishes rules for designating "subsequent irrigation non-expansion areas" in Arizona, where new irrigation cannot expand due to insufficient groundwater. It requires the director to designate such areas if groundwater cannot reliably supply irrigation for 100 years at current withdrawal rates, and an active management area is unnecessary. Communities can petition for this designation with signatures from 25 irrigation users or 10% of registered voters in the area, plus a technical groundwater model verified by a licensed professional. This directly affects agricultural users and local communities in groundwater-limited regions by restricting new irrigation development.

Maddy summaryHB 2445 modifies Arizona's tax deed sale process to prioritize affordable housing. It allows counties, cities, towns, or special districts to purchase tax-deeded properties (land seized for unpaid taxes) for low-income housing projects, provided the housing meets HUD standards and includes a 30-year covenant requiring continued affordability. This directly affects local governments seeking to develop or acquire land for affordable housing, as it permits them to buy such properties without public auction and sell/lease them below market value while maintaining long-term affordability. The bill does not change tax collection or general sale procedures but creates a specific pathway for affordable housing development using tax-foreclosed land.

Maddy summaryHB 2444 repeals a specific outdated provision (Section 9-461.16) from Arizona's zoning code while amending Section 9-462.01 to clarify existing zoning regulations. The bill directly affects Arizona municipalities that use these zoning codes for land use planning, including regulations on residential development, historical districts, and age-restricted communities. It makes no new policy changes but updates the legal text to remove redundant language and streamline the process for municipalities to adopt zoning rules. This is a technical correction to the state's zoning statutes, not a substantive change to housing policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2586 creates a mobile communications platform for Arizona election workers, including poll workers, drivers, warehouse staff, and voter registration personnel. The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish this platform and deploy it in a pilot program across one or more counties, with counties potentially using it at reduced or no cost. It appropriates $200,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the pilot, which expires on December 31, 2026. The legislation directly affects election workers and local election offices participating in the pilot.

Maddy summaryHB 2481 requires municipalities in Arizona to verify adequate water supply before approving new housing subdivisions. It mandates that developers submit a "certificate of assured water supply" from the state water resources director (for areas with water scarcity) or a written commitment from a water provider with adequate supply. This applies to all new subdivisions within designated water management areas and, if the state issues a water notice, to subdivisions outside those areas as well. The requirement must be included on the subdivision plan before final approval, directly affecting developers and local planning departments.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes to update definitions related to driver license records and clarify restrictions on issuing licenses to certain individuals. It directly affects the Arizona Department of Transportation, applicants for driver licenses, and individuals with specific criminal or medical histories. The bill clarifies what constitutes personal information and vehicle history reports, while maintaining existing prohibitions on issuing licenses to minors, those with certain criminal convictions, and individuals whose licenses have been suspended or revoked. The changes also specify requirements for English language proficiency and financial responsibility proof for license applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 2246 appropriates $50 million from Arizona's long-term water augmentation fund for the Department of Water Resources to compensate irrigation rights holders for permanently retiring or reducing their existing water rights. This directly affects agricultural water users who hold "grandfathered" irrigation rights, offering them financial compensation to reduce or eliminate their water usage. The bill requires the department to begin purchasing these rights by December 31, 2025, using funds specifically exempt from standard appropriation rules. The policy change focuses on incentivizing voluntary reductions in water allocation for irrigation through direct financial compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2593 requires Arizona school districts to offer preschool educational programs for children with specific disabilities (including hearing, visual, developmental delays, or speech impairments) who reside within the district. Charter schools may choose to provide these programs. The bill mandates that districts evaluate children before admission and specifies that these preschoolers count as half a full-time student for funding purposes. It also directs the state board to distribute 10% of federal funds for preschool disability programs to school districts and charters that choose to participate. This bill directly affects preschool children with disabilities and school districts managing their educational services.

Maddy summaryHB 2250 amends Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) to require contractors to provide preventive dental care for enrollees aged 21 and older. This directly affects Arizona Medicaid recipients who are adults, expanding their covered services to include routine dental prevention (like cleanings and check-ups) without an annual cost limit. The bill adds dental care as a covered service under Section 36-2907, specifying that emergency dental care and extractions remain capped at $1,000 per year for adults. It does not change eligibility or funding but mandates this coverage as part of the state's Medicaid benefits.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends early voting hours in Arizona to 7:00 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday before elections. It also creates a specific emergency voting window from Friday 5:00 p.m. to Monday 5:00 p.m. before elections, requiring voters to show ID and sign a sworn statement confirming an emergency. These changes apply to all voters requesting early ballots, including options to update voter registration at early voting locations. The bill modifies existing election procedures to provide more flexibility for voters facing scheduling conflicts or emergencies.