Rep. Teresa Martinez

Maddy summaryHB 2701 authorizes Arizona public school teachers and administrators to display or read specific patriotic materials in school buildings, including the national motto, pledge of allegiance, Declaration of Independence, founding documents, and state motto. It additionally permits county jail education programs and certain "accommodation schools" (like those in county jails) to display the Ten Commandments and patriotic poetry/songs, while excluding schools established under Section 15-465. The bill does not require schools to display these materials but provides legal permission for those who choose to do so. It applies directly to K-12 schools and county jail education programs within Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2685 creates a $350 state earned income tax credit for Arizona residents who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It directly affects low-income individuals and families by providing a refundable tax credit that can be claimed on state income tax returns, with one credit allowed per household annually. The bill requires claimants to file the credit with their tax return (except for those with no tax liability who meet specific filing exceptions) and allows excess credit amounts to be paid as refunds. This credit applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 2171 creates a $5 million scholarship fund for spouses and dependents (under age 27) of Arizona law enforcement officers. The fund covers tuition and mandatory fees at eligible Arizona public colleges, career technical schools, or participating private institutions, after subtracting other financial aid. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with funds limited to the annual appropriation, and must be used within four academic years. The Arizona Board of Regents administers the program and reports annually on recipients and participating law enforcement agencies, with the fund set to expire in 2035.

Maddy summaryHB 2383 allocates $8 million from Arizona’s state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support applied research centers specializing in specific technology fields. It directs $3 million for medical technology centers, $2 million for clean energy/water sustainability tech, $2 million for semiconductors, and $1 million for other beneficial technologies, with centers required to match funds from non-state sources. Centers must collaborate with universities and businesses, report annual expenditures to the legislature, and use funds for workforce training in relevant fields. The funding is exempt from standard budget lapsing rules but requires unspent funds to revert to the state by June 2027.

Maddy summaryHB 2379 allocates $5 million from Arizona's state general fund for home and community-based services and an additional $5 million for senior housing assistance, to be distributed by the Department of Economic Security to area agencies on aging during fiscal year 2025-2026. These funds directly support programs helping seniors age in place and access housing resources through local agencies. The bill establishes specific funding amounts for two distinct senior services categories without changing eligibility rules or creating new requirements. It is currently in early legislative stages, having passed House first and second readings on January 23 and 27, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2102 establishes a dedicated anti-racketeering revolving fund in Arizona to manage money recovered from racketeering prosecutions. It requires all recovered funds - such as attorney fees from civil/criminal cases under AZ statutes 13-2301 or 13-2312, forfeiture proceeds, or federal/state cooperative investigation funds - to be deposited into this fund, prohibiting transfers to the general state fund. The fund may finance gang/victim prevention programs, racketeering investigations, officer relocation costs, and administrative reporting, but bans using it for Attorney General’s office salaries after August 2025. All agencies receiving fund monies must submit quarterly reports on sources and expenditures to the Attorney General and Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, with strict deadlines and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2520 amends Arizona's duress defense law to limit when a defendant can claim they committed a crime due to threats of immediate physical force. Specifically, the defense cannot be used if the defendant intentionally created the situation where they faced duress, or for offenses involving homicide, serious physical injury, or certain violent crimes like aggravated assault or sexual offenses. This change directly affects criminal defendants in cases where they attempt to justify their actions using duress as a legal defense. The bill clarifies that the duress defense is unavailable for the most serious violent offenses, making it harder for defendants to avoid responsibility for those acts.

Maddy summaryHB 2304 allocates $39.6 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund specific highway and road projects across the state. It directs funds to 56 designated projects in communities like Globe, Prescott Valley, and tribal nations (e.g., Hopi Tribe), covering pavement repairs, bridge replacements, roundabouts, and infrastructure improvements. The bill serves as a funding mechanism - distributing existing state resources to support local transportation needs without creating new policy or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2373 sets new qualifications for Arizona county attorneys, directly affecting all current and future holders of this position. The bill requires county attorneys to be licensed attorneys in good standing who have practiced law in Arizona for at least five years prior to taking office. It also prohibits county boards of supervisors from paying salary to anyone ineligible under these new standards. Current county attorneys serving on the bill's effective date may continue until their current term expires. The bill amends existing law to strengthen eligibility requirements for this elected county office.

Maddy summaryHB 2186 prohibits the surgical procedure known as "declawing" (amputation of a cat's claws) or "tendonectomy" (modifying tendons to prevent claw extension) in Arizona, except when performed for a documented medical necessity. The bill defines "therapeutic purpose" as addressing an existing infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition that jeopardizes the cat's health, explicitly excluding cosmetic or convenience reasons. This law directly affects veterinarians who perform these procedures on cats, requiring them to justify any declawing as medically necessary under the statute. The bill focuses on clarifying prohibited practices through defined terms rather than imposing new penalties or enforcement mechanisms.