Rep. Michael Way

Maddy summaryHB 2741 modifies Arizona's liquor licensing rules by adjusting how many new bar, beer/wine bar, and liquor store licenses are issued each year based on county population growth (increasing from 5,000 to 10,000 people per new license for beer/wine bars starting in 2022). It requires new license holders to pay a fee equal to the current market value of similar licenses in their county, determined through appraisals. The bill also limits off-sale liquor sales (e.g., takeout) to no more than 30% of total on-sale sales at licensed establishments. Additionally, it allows license holders to combine multiple license types (like bar + liquor store) at a single location under specific conditions. This law directly affects businesses seeking new liquor licenses or expanding existing operations in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2063 requires Arizona schools to provide parents or guardians with clear information about immunization requirements and exemptions when communicating about school health policies. It mandates that schools disclose exemption details (per §15-873) in all parent communications regarding immunizations. The bill allows students who have received at least one dose of required vaccines and have a physician-approved schedule for completing shots to attend school, but requires schools to review progress twice yearly and suspend students who miss scheduled doses without an exemption. The bill was passed by the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on April 15, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2058 would have expanded Arizona's school immunization exemption rules to allow students aged 18 and older to submit their own signed statement declining vaccines based on personal beliefs, instead of requiring parental consent. This change directly affects adult students (18+) in Arizona public schools who wish to opt out of required immunizations. The bill maintained existing requirements for medical exemptions (requiring physician certification) and kept the rule that students without immunization proof must stay home during disease outbreaks. However, the bill was vetoed by the governor on April 15, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2062, the "Arizona Sex-based Terms Act," defines biological sex as strictly male or female at birth in state laws, administrative rules, and public policies. It specifies terms like "female" to mean individuals with natural reproductive systems producing ova and prohibits using gender identity as a substitute for biological sex. The bill requires single-sex environments (e.g., schools, shelters, sports) to be based on biological sex and mandates that state agencies collect vital statistics using only "male" or "female" categories. The bill was passed by the legislature in April 2025 but vetoed by the governor on April 15, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2060 requires all Arizona elections for federal offices (like U.S. President, Congress, and Senate) to follow the same voter registration, citizenship, residency, and identification rules as state and local elections. It mandates that federal elections be conducted "in the same manner" as state elections under Arizona's existing election statutes. The bill directly affects how federal elections are administered in Arizona, aligning them with state election laws rather than federal standards. The bill passed the Arizona legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on April 15, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona law (HB 2114) changes how sexual acts with minors are classified and punished under state law. It creates stricter felony classifications based on the minor’s age and the offender’s circumstances: sexual conduct with a minor under 12 who suffers serious injury is now a life sentence with no parole, while acts with minors under 15 are class 2 felonies. For minors aged 15 or older, penalties range from class 6 (standard) to class 4 (if offender is over 20) or class 2 (if offender was in a position of trust, with no probation or early release allowed). The law directly affects individuals convicted of sexual acts with minors, imposing mandatory jail time in some cases and eliminating eligibility for early release in the most severe scenarios. The bill was signed into law in April 2025.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by Arizona lawmakers expressing support for the Palo Verde Generating Station nuclear power plant and nuclear energy. It highlights Palo Verde's role as Arizona's largest clean energy source, economic contributor ($2.3 billion impact), and employer (3,000+ jobs), while noting public support for nuclear power. The resolution has no legal effect but formally endorses continued nuclear energy use and directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials. It does not create new policies, funding, or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2557 appropriates $16,291,610 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Transportation. The funds are specifically designated to widen and improve State Route 347 between Interstate 10 and the city of Maricopa. This project directly affects drivers and local communities along that corridor by expanding the highway infrastructure. The bill creates no new regulations or requirements - its sole mechanism is the allocation of funds for this physical improvement project.

Maddy summaryHB 2855 declares that drug cartels operating in Arizona are terrorist organizations under state law. It defines "drug cartel" to include groups involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism, and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to address the threat they pose. The bill explicitly states this definition does not affect individuals' claims for asylum under federal law. This legislation aims to empower state agencies to combat border-related criminal activity, based on voter-approved findings about public safety concerns linked to transnational cartels.

Maddy summaryHB 2384 requires Arizona insurers to use wildfire risk modeling for fire insurance policies in cities and towns with fewer than 150,000 residents. It mandates that insurers base premiums on community-level wildfire mitigation efforts, specifically rewarding properties in "Firewise USA Site" communities that have implemented proven safety measures. This policy change directly affects homeowners in smaller Arizona communities and insurers operating there, shifting how wildfire risk is assessed from individual properties to community-wide safety programs. The law aims to incentivize community-wide wildfire preparedness by offering lower insurance rates to areas with certified mitigation efforts.