Rep. Rachel Keshel

Maddy summaryHB 2155 creates a tax deduction for Arizona taxpayers who adopt children. It allows filers to subtract qualified adoption costs - including medical, counseling, legal, and agency fees - from their Arizona gross income, with specific limits based on filing status. Before 2026, the maximum deduction is $3,000 for individuals or $3,000 total for married couples filing separately. Starting in 2026, the limit increases to $5,000 for single filers/head of household and $10,000 for married couples filing jointly, but the deduction must be claimed only in the year the final adoption order is granted.

Maddy summaryHB 2879 amends Arizona law to change how vacancies are filled for precinct committeemen, who are local party representatives elected at primaries. The bill requires county party chairs to submit a list of candidates to the board of supervisors, who must appoint from that list within 14 days (approved by the county recorder). This affects county-level political party committees statewide by standardizing vacancy procedures. The bill was introduced in 2025 but failed to pass.

Maddy summaryThis proposed constitutional amendment would limit Arizona's regular legislative sessions in even-numbered years to only four types of bills: repealing laws or administrative rules, emergency measures, government funding support, or budget reconciliation. It would require the governor to specify subjects for special sessions, restricting those sessions to only those topics. The amendment must be approved by voters at the next general election to take effect. Currently, it is in early legislative stages with no votes recorded.

Maddy summaryHB 2016 amends Arizona's child abuse reporting law to create a specific exception for religious leaders. It allows clergy, Christian Science practitioners, and priests to withhold reporting a confession received in their religious role if consistent with their faith, but only for the confession itself - not for observations of abuse or other communications. This exception directly affects religious professionals who may hear confessions about child abuse during religious counseling. The bill maintains all other mandatory reporting duties for medical professionals, school staff, and others who suspect abuse. It does not change the requirement to report if the religious professional is acting outside their religious role or if abuse is observed.

Maddy summaryHCR 2014 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would change how Arizona's House of Representatives seats are designated and establish an independent redistricting commission. Starting in 2027, each legislative district would elect two representatives whose seats would be labeled "A" and "B" based on the alphabetical order of their names (surname then first name), requiring candidates to run for a specific seat. It also creates a five-member independent redistricting commission with strict rules to ensure political balance (no more than two members from the same party) and requires members to have been registered voters for at least three years without recent political office or lobbying roles. This amendment must be approved by Arizona voters to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis concurrent resolution (SCR 1005) encourages Arizona's State Retirement System and Public Safety Personnel Retirement System to study the potential inclusion of Bitcoin and digital asset exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in their investment portfolios. It directs these systems to monitor market developments, consult with SEC-approved digital asset ETF providers, and submit a detailed feasibility report to state officials before the next legislative session. The resolution does not mandate any investment but seeks to evaluate risks, benefits, and safe implementation options for retirement funds. It reflects growing institutional interest in digital assets, noting over 11 approved Bitcoin ETFs and $16 trillion in global assets under management for related firms.

Maddy summaryHB 2703 would have amended Arizona election law to update rules for polling places and early voting. It required counties to adjust precinct boundaries if early voting ballots might reduce in-person turnout at specific locations, allowed voting centers (where voters can cast ballots at any location in the county), and established procedures for emergency voting centers during elections. The bill also updated school polling place requirements, mandated voter notification for polling place changes, and addressed ballot tabulation deadlines for early voting. Passed by the legislature in February 2025, the bill was vetoed by the governor the same month.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have amended Arizona election law to change how counties establish polling places and manage voting locations. It required counties to set precinct boundaries by October 1 before elections, with specific rules for combining precincts or using voting centers where any voter can cast a ballot with ID. The bill also mandated that public schools provide space for polling places unless a principal denies it for safety or space reasons, and created procedures for emergency voting centers during elections. It directly affected county election officials, public schools, and voters across Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2923 modifies Arizona family court procedures for parenting time disputes involving alleged domestic violence or abuse. It requires courts to admit expert witness testimony only from professionals with specific clinical experience helping domestic violence victims (not just forensic expertise), and limits such testimony to scientifically validated methods. The bill explicitly prohibits using polygraph results, voice-stress analysis, or other unproven psychological measures in these cases. This affects parents, courts, and experts in custody proceedings where domestic violence allegations are raised under Arizona law.

Maddy summaryHCM 2016 is a symbolic resolution (not a binding bill) passed by the Arizona House of Representatives. It urges the U.S. Congress to support the Palo Verde Generating Station, Arizona's largest nuclear power plant, highlighting its role as a major clean energy source (supplying 70% of Arizona's carbon-free energy), economic contributor ($2.3 billion annual impact), and employer (2,000+ full-time workers). The resolution cites the plant's use of recycled water, lower costs compared to solar, and public support for nuclear energy (56% in a 2024 survey) to make its case. It does not create new policy but requests congressional recognition and support for the facility.