Rep. Rachel Keshel

Maddy summaryHB 2254 modifies Arizona's domestic relations laws to improve temporary custody and parenting time orders. It requires courts to reevaluate such orders every six months and mandates a 60-day timeline for hearings on temporary orders, unless parties waive this or extraordinary circumstances exist. The bill also sets a minimum 120-minute hearing time for temporary order cases and requires courts to make specific written findings about factors affecting a child's best interests. This directly affects parents and children involved in custody disputes during divorce or separation proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 1093 requires Arizona state fiduciaries managing retirement plans, university funds, or community college programs to prioritize only financial returns ("pecuniary factors") when making investment decisions. It bans consideration of environmental, social, or political goals in investment choices or voting shares held by state funds. The bill mandates the state treasurer publicly list all state investments and investment managers on a website, updating it regularly. It also prohibits fiduciaries from following proxy voting recommendations that prioritize non-financial factors or granting voting authority to outside entities that do so.

Maddy summaryHB 2683 requires Arizona physical retail businesses to accept cash for purchases under $100 without charging extra fees or penalties. It gives customers a legal right to sue businesses that violate this rule, with penalties of up to $1,000 per violation (capped at $5,000 per person). The law does not apply to online sales or written contracts that specify payment methods. This directly affects brick-and-mortar retailers and protects customers making smaller in-person purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 amends Arizona's tax code to add new sales tax exemptions for specific items. It exempts sales of "cash equivalents" (like gift cards, stored-value cards, and prepaid digital payment tools) and "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, etc.) from retail sales tax. The bill defines "cash equivalents" as pre-paid items denominated in money redeemable for goods/services, excluding telecom prepaids, and clarifies that "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) is exempt. This directly affects retailers selling these items, removing tax liability on such transactions. The bill focuses solely on tax policy, with no provisions related to firearm storage devices as inaccurately suggested in the title.

Maddy summaryHB 2808 updates Arizona's medical board disciplinary procedures. It requires healthcare institutions to notify the board when restricting a doctor's privileges due to incompetence, misconduct, or safety concerns, including reasons and patient details. The bill also expands the board's authority to mandate competency exams, rehabilitation programs, or continuing education for doctors, while protecting the anonymity of reporters who provide information about drug/alcohol impairment. These changes directly affect licensed doctors, healthcare institutions, and the medical board during disciplinary investigations.

Maddy summaryHCR 2002 is a proposed constitutional amendment (requiring voter approval) that would allow Arizona counties to establish voting centers - locations where any voter in the county can cast a ballot on election day, rather than being restricted to their specific precinct polling place. If approved by voters, it would amend Arizona statutes to remove the current prohibition (Section 16-411, subsection 4) that prevents county boards from authorizing voting centers. This change would directly affect county election officials, who could then designate multiple voting centers across a county, and voters, who would have more flexible polling locations. The measure does not currently have legal effect and requires voter approval to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2684 prohibits pedestrians from congregating or soliciting (e.g., asking for money) on traffic islands, medians, highway ramps, or unsafe locations without sidewalks. It directly affects pedestrians who gather in these specific high-risk areas, such as busy roadways or unprotected medians. The bill establishes a tiered enforcement approach: a first violation receives only a warning, a second violation is a civil traffic violation (likely involving a fine), and third or subsequent violations are classified as a class 1 misdemeanor. The law aims to improve pedestrian safety by restricting gathering in locations where pedestrians face significant traffic dangers.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1313 prohibits cities, counties, and other local governments from requiring residents to recycle materials that aren't currently being actively recycled. The bill defines "actively recycled" as materials reprocessed into new products, meaning localities can't mandate recycling for items not actually turned into new items. It applies to all Arizona municipalities and counties, amending existing recycling laws to prevent misleading recycling claims. The law takes effect upon passage, ensuring residents aren't pressured to sort materials that don't enter actual recycling streams.

Maddy summaryHB 2255 updates Arizona's child custody law to improve professional standards in family court proceedings. The bill requires court-appointed evaluators and investigators to complete specific training in domestic violence and child abuse (6 hours initially, 4 hours every two years) and prohibits courts from ordering psychiatric evaluations of parents without evidence of high risk to the child. It also mandates that courts cover all fees for these professionals instead of charging parents, reducing financial burdens in custody cases. This applies directly to Arizona family courts handling custody, parenting time, and legal decision-making disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 2059 prohibits Arizona state and local governments from participating in enforcing federal laws related to coal, oil, gas, timber, or related industries if those federal rules don't exist under Arizona law. It specifically bans using state funds or assets to assist federal enforcement efforts and requires state employees to avoid aiding such activities. Violations carry fines up to $3,000 for first offenses or misdemeanor charges for repeat violations, and local governments violating the law risk losing state grants. The bill is grounded in Supreme Court rulings (like *Printz v. United States*) affirming states' right to refuse federal mandates on resource regulation.