Rep. Michael Way

Maddy summaryHB 2700 requires Arizona high school students to meet specific social studies standards for graduation, directly affecting all public high school students in the state. It mandates that geography instruction include "the gulf of America" and adds a civics test requirement: students must correctly answer at least 60 of 100 questions (for 2025 graduates) or 70 of 100 questions (for 2026+ graduates) on a test identical to the U.S. citizenship civics exam. Students in grades 7-8 may take the test early to satisfy the requirement without retaking it later in high school. The bill specifies that schools must document only "pass" or "fail" on transcripts for this test, with no other policy changes detailed in the provided text.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 establishes a new framework for Arizona public power entities (like municipal utilities) to finance infrastructure upgrades by issuing "Transition Bonds." These bonds are secured by future customer payments called "Financing Charges," which become nonbypassable fees added to all customers' utility bills until the costs are fully recovered. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "Financing Charges," "Qualified Special Purpose Entity," and "Transition Bonds," ensuring these payments cannot be avoided regardless of the customer's service provider or asset ownership. This mechanism allows public power entities to shift financing costs to customers over time rather than relying solely on traditional rate increases.

Maddy summaryHB 2868 prohibits Arizona cities and counties from establishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices, requiring DEI statements or training, or giving preference based on race, sex, color, or ethnicity in employment or programs. The bill directly affects local government entities by banning specific DEI-related policies and mandating disciplinary action for violations. Key provisions define "diversity, equity and inclusion" broadly to include concepts like systemic oppression and gender theory, while allowing limited compliance training approved by legal counsel. This bill was passed by the Arizona legislature in May 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on May 13, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 2895 requires cities, counties, school districts, and state agencies in Arizona to publicly post task order contracts (for ongoing services or supplies) on their websites. It mandates that contracts must include the total dollar amount, contractor name, service description, and contract length - these items cannot be redacted. Contractors may redact personal or proprietary information beyond these four required details. The bill was passed by the legislature in May 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on May 13, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 2927 requires all Arizona public bodies (including cities, counties, school boards, and commissions) to post meeting minutes and recordings online within specific timeframes. It mandates that minutes include voting records, legal actions discussed, and speaker details, with cities/towns required to post summaries within 2 days after approved minutes. The bill also specifies that recordings must be available online within three business days for most meetings, and public bodies must provide adequate seating for attendees. These requirements aim to increase transparency by making government deliberations more accessible to the public.

Maddy summaryHB 2742 streamlines the process for requesting court-ordered mental health evaluations in Arizona. It requires standardized application forms with specific details about the person needing evaluation (including behavioral evidence, treatment history, and witness information), and mandates that screening agencies process applications within 48 hours. The bill explicitly protects individuals receiving treatment through recognized religious practices from involuntary evaluation unless a court determines they pose a danger to self or others. This affects individuals with serious mental health concerns who are unwilling or unable to seek voluntary care, as well as healthcare providers, law enforcement, and courts handling such cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2112 requires websites and social media platforms hosting over one-third sexual material harmful to minors to implement age verification, confirming users are 18+ using methods that do not transmit or retain personal data to government entities. It prohibits commercial entities from sharing or keeping user identifying information during verification and imposes penalties of up to $10,000 per day for non-compliance or $250,000 if minors access restricted content. The law directly affects commercial online platforms but exempts news organizations, search engines, and internet service providers from liability for content they host but do not create. Violators face civil lawsuits with potential fines and attorney fee recovery for affected minors or parents. It defines "harmful to minors" material as content exploiting sexual acts or prurient interests without artistic/scientific value for youth.

Maddy summaryHB 2222 requires Arizona cities, towns, and counties to submit detailed reports for settlement agreements exceeding $500,000, and to seek legislative committee review for agreements over $1 million. Specifically, local governments must provide the governor, legislature, and attorney general with settlement terms, funding sources, and circumstances at least 90 days before finalizing such agreements. If a local government skips the $1 million review process, the settlement becomes unenforceable. The bill defines "settlement agreement" broadly but excludes construction disputes, permit issues, personal injury claims, and workers' compensation settlements from these requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2221 prohibits Arizona cities and towns from reducing their annual police department budgets below the previous year's level. If a city or town cuts police funding, it must notify the state treasurer, triggering the withholding of state shared funds equal to the cut amount until the budget is restored. Exceptions allow budget reductions only during financial hardship (with city-wide cuts first), population decline, or if temporary increases were reversed. The bill, passed by the legislature in May 2025 but vetoed by the governor, declares police funding a statewide concern affecting public safety.

Maddy summaryHB 2387 regulates cryptocurrency kiosks in Arizona to protect consumers from fraud. It requires operators to provide clear, language-specific disclosures about risks (including common scams like fake bank alerts) and detailed transaction receipts showing wallet addresses, fees, and exchange rates. The bill limits daily cash transactions to $2,000 for new customers and $10,500 for existing customers, mandates 24/7 customer service, and requires kiosks to use fraud-detection software. If a customer is tricked into a transaction (e.g., via impersonation scams), operators must refund the full amount - including fees - within 30 days if the customer contacts both the operator and law enforcement. This directly affects kiosk businesses and their customers, focusing on transparency and fraud recovery.