Rep. Michael Way

Maddy summaryHB 2557 amends Arizona law to allow individuals convicted of certain offenses to petition courts to seal their criminal records after meeting specific requirements. It directly affects people with felony or misdemeanor convictions who have completed sentences, paid all fines/restitution, and waited set periods (e.g., 10 years for serious felonies, 5 years for less serious ones). Key mechanisms include mandatory victim notification, court review for public safety, and restrictions on how sealed records may be used (e.g., still admissible in future criminal cases). The bill does not change eligibility for voting or candidacy, despite its misleading title, and focuses solely on record sealing procedures.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a resolution honoring Louis Gasper, a former public servant and academic who recently passed away. It expresses the legislature's sincere regret for his death and extends condolences to his family and friends. The document does not change any laws or policies but serves as a formal acknowledgment of his life and contributions.

Maddy summaryArizona's HCR 2043 is a state legislative resolution applying to Congress under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to call a convention proposing term limits for U.S. Congress members. It specifically requests a convention to establish term limits for both House and Senate seats, joining 22 other states that previously sought similar limits but were overruled by the Supreme Court. The resolution states Arizona’s application will be counted toward the two-thirds of states needed to compel Congress to act, aggregating with other states’ identical requests. This is a procedural step by Arizona’s legislature to pressure Congress, not a direct policy change affecting voters or officials.

Maddy summaryHCR 2047 is a symbolic Arizona legislative resolution recognizing the historical and biblical significance of "Judea and Samaria" as the ancestral homeland of the Jewish people. It formally rejects the term "West Bank" as a political construct and mandates that Arizona state government use "Judea and Samaria" in all official communications and documents regarding the territory. The resolution cites biblical references, historical claims, and legal arguments (including the San Remo Resolution and League of Nations Mandate) to support its position. As a concurrent resolution, it has no legal effect on international borders or U.S. policy but reflects Arizona's official stance on terminology. It does not alter any existing laws or policies related to the region.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona state memorial (HCM 2011) urges Congress to delist the Mexican wolf from the federal endangered species list. It claims the wolf population has exceeded recovery goals since 2014 (286 wild wolves in 2024) and no longer requires ESA protections. The memorial specifically requests Congress pass H.R. 4255 to remove the wolf from the list, defund the federal reintroduction project, transfer management to states, and ensure full compensation for ranchers' livestock losses. It does not create new law but advocates for policy changes to end federal management of the species.

Maddy summaryHCR 2059 is a symbolic resolution expressing legislative support for Arizona county sheriffs. It does not create new laws or alter legal authority; instead, it reaffirms the Legislature's backing of sheriffs as constitutional law enforcement officers and encourages public appreciation for their service. The resolution highlights sheriffs' roles in addressing issues like drug trafficking and human trafficking, while recognizing their authority derived directly from voters. As a concurrent resolution (HCR), it has no binding legal effect and solely serves to publicly acknowledge sheriffs' duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2665 amends Arizona's manslaughter law to create a new offense: intentionally providing advice or encouragement to a minor about suicide, knowing the minor intends to die by suicide. This specifically targets adults who engage in direct online communications (like social media posts, texts, or tagged messages) aimed at a minor who is suicidal. The law defines "directed communication" to include specific online interactions with the minor, but excludes general public discussions about suicide. Violating this provision is classified as a class 2 felony.

Maddy summaryHB 2138 clarifies that professional firefighters employed by city, town, county, or fire district departments are considered "in the course and scope of employment" for workers' compensation purposes if injured or killed while traveling directly to or from work. This directly affects firefighters in these specific municipal fire departments by ensuring commute-related injuries qualify for workers' comp benefits, provided they were not engaged in criminal activity. The bill explicitly states it does not create new employer liability for negligent or intentional conduct during commutes. The law was passed by the Arizona House of Representatives on February 3, 2026, and transmitted to the Senate.

Maddy summaryHB 2811 amends Arizona law to reclassify obstructing a lawful arrest as a class 5 felony (previously a class 1 misdemeanor), while keeping obstruction of other governmental functions as a misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals who physically block or interfere with police during a lawful arrest. The key provision specifies that using or threatening violence to hinder the "making of a lawful arrest" now carries felony penalties. This bill makes a concrete policy change by increasing criminal penalties for a specific type of obstruction during arrests.

Maddy summaryHB 2666 reclassifies threatening to share explicit images or force sexual acts as a felony. It increases penalties based on the victim’s age: a class 3 felony for adults, class 2 for teens aged 15-17 (requiring consecutive sentences with no probation), and class 2 for children under 15. Offenders cannot receive probation, early release, or sentence suspension for these crimes. The bill defines "sexual extortion" as threatening to damage property, harm reputation, or distribute explicit images of the victim.