Rep. Rachel Keshel

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 summaryArizona's SB 1092 prohibits state and local governments from establishing vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction goals, tracking personal driving data (like odometer readings or license plate movements), or charging mileage-based taxes. The bill directly affects Arizona's government entities, including cities, counties, and state agencies, by banning these specific actions. Key provisions include banning VMT tracking through cameras, third-party data, or license plate capture, and prohibiting per-mile fees or taxes on personal vehicles. Exceptions apply for interstate commercial vehicle fuel/tax agreements and vehicles owned by specific government entities. This bill focuses on preventing government collection of driving data and mileage-based charges, not on altering driver behavior or vehicle usage.

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 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 2633 creates a new legal tool allowing individuals to seek dismissal of lawsuits they believe were filed to retaliate against their exercise of constitutional rights, such as free speech, peaceful assembly, or political advocacy. To use this tool, the person must first provide evidence showing the lawsuit was substantially motivated by a desire to deter or punish such protected activities (a "prima facie" showing). State government entities (like agencies or officials) face additional requirements to defend against such motions, including proving they were unaware of the person's protected activity or had consistent practices for similar cases. If successful, the moving party can recover attorney fees and costs, while courts must stay discovery proceedings during the motion. This bill directly affects individuals facing civil lawsuits they claim are retaliatory, not state actors.

Maddy summaryHB 2425 modifies Arizona's voter registration rules by requiring county recorders to create detailed electronic precinct lists containing voters' full names, addresses, party preference, registration date, birth year, occupation, voting history, and early ballot data. These lists must be provided electronically to political party chairmen within eight days after registration closes, with specific fee structures for bulk requests (e.g., $93.75 for up to 125,000 records). The bill restricts the use of this data solely to election-related purposes, political campaigns, or authorized election activities, prohibiting commercial use. It ensures uniform data formatting across counties for the secretary of state's statewide database while allowing limited access for political parties and candidates.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona's definition of "dangerous drug" to include specific synthetic compounds under new categories, such as cannabimimetic substances (e.g., JWH-018, JWH-073) and other listed chemicals. It directly affects individuals possessing or using these substances, as it establishes legal thresholds for enforcement under Arizona law. The key provision redefines "dangerous drug" to explicitly cover these synthetic compounds, including their salts, isomers, and derivatives, without exception. This change clarifies legal boundaries for law enforcement and pharmacists (referencing the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy) regarding these substances. Note: The bill's title mentions "hydrolyzed cocaine," but the actual text focuses on defining dangerous drugs, not hydrolyzed cocaine.

Maddy summaryHB 2296 amends Arizona law to remove a presumption that shared parenting time is automatically in a child's best interest. The bill requires courts to evaluate all relevant factors under Arizona Revised Statutes §25-403 without assuming shared parenting is preferable, focusing instead on individual circumstances like parental cooperation and child adjustment. It mandates courts to adopt parenting plans that "maximize" both parents' time when appropriate, while explicitly prohibiting gender-based preferences in custody decisions. This change directly affects family courts and parents involved in custody disputes across Arizona. The law emphasizes case-specific evaluations over standardized assumptions about parenting arrangements.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HCR 2037) is a concurrent resolution proposing to repeal specific definitions related to prohibited weapons in Arizona law. It seeks voter approval to remove definitions from Arizona Revised Statutes sections 13-3101, 13-3102, and 13-3110 that currently define terms like "firearm," "prohibited possessor," and "deadly weapon." If approved by voters, the repeal would eliminate these definitions from the law, though it does not change existing prohibited weapons restrictions or penalties. The measure is procedural and requires voter approval via referendum, not legislative enactment.