Rep. Rachel Keshel

Maddy summaryHB 2420 would have allocated $4.2 million from Arizona's state general fund for the Department of Education to support the "college credit by examination incentive program" under Arizona law. This program helps students earn college credit through exams instead of taking full courses, directly benefiting Arizona students seeking cost-effective higher education pathways. The bill aimed to fully fund this initiative in future years beyond the initial $4.2 million for fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill failed to advance in the legislature on February 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2822 requires nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Arizona that receive state contracts and operate near the state's international border to submit quarterly financial reports. These reports must detail all funding sources (including private, federal, and state money) and all expenditures related to the state contract. The bill directly affects border-area NGOs receiving state contracts, mandating transparency to the Senate President and House Speaker. It does not change how contracts are awarded but adds specific reporting obligations for these organizations. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (first and second reading in February 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 2762 amends Arizona law to clarify that children aged 14 or older who are mature enough can express a preference for which parent they wish to live with regarding custody and parenting time. The bill states that a child's choice is presumed valid unless the court determines it is not in their best interests. This applies directly to minors in custody disputes who meet the age and maturity criteria. The change requires courts to consider the child's preference as a key factor when making legal decision-making and parenting time rulings. The amendment does not override other best-interest factors but ensures a child's expressed choice is given significant weight in court decisions.

Maddy summarySB 1686 clarifies that the county recorder is the "officer in charge of elections" for Arizona counties, directly affecting county election officials. It updates rules for establishing election precinct boundaries and designating polling places, requiring county recorders to set boundaries by October 1 before elections and follow specific guidelines for combining precincts or using voting centers. The bill also mandates that public schools must provide space for polling places unless principals deny requests with written reasons like lack of space or safety concerns. These changes aim to standardize election administration procedures for county recorders managing polling locations.

Maddy summaryHB 2766 requires Arizona cities and towns to apply municipal sales taxes uniformly to all food items (without differential rates), while exempting most food for home consumption, food packaging, and sales paid with SNAP benefits. It specifically excludes candy, confectionaries, soft drinks, and soda from the general food exemption, ensuring these remain taxable. The bill also exempts low-cost food sales to vulnerable groups (elderly, homeless, disabled) when purchased using SNAP benefits through approved programs. This amendment, effective January 1, 2026, modifies existing tax code to standardize food taxation and expand specific exemptions.

Maddy summaryHB 2718 amends Arizona law to establish a presumption that it is in a child's best interest to have substantial, frequent, meaningful, and continuing parenting time with both parents, as well as both parents' participation in major decisions about the child. This policy change directly affects parents involved in custody disputes and Arizona courts deciding child custody cases. The bill requires courts to apply this presumption unless evidence shows otherwise, shifting the default standard in custody rulings. It does not alter divorce procedures but changes how courts evaluate parenting arrangements under Arizona Revised Statutes §25-103.

Maddy summaryHB 2729 creates a regulated marketplace for selling or leasing groundwater rights within Arizona’s Phoenix, Tucson, and Pinal active management areas. It allows owners of grandfathered groundwater rights to sell or lease portions of those rights (while reserving 35% of their original right), requiring detailed transaction notices to the Department of Water Resources. Buyers receive 65% of the groundwater forgone by sellers, and forgiven water is split 50/50 between aquifer recharge and reserved for future water supply applications. The bill mandates an online public exchange platform for these transactions and exempts conveyed groundwater from replenishment obligations and city water use calculations.

Maddy summarySB 1099 prohibits Arizona state agencies, cities, counties, and their contractors from exposing minors to sexually explicit materials. It also bans using government-owned or managed facilities for filming sexually explicit acts. The bill defines "sexually explicit materials" as content depicting sexual conduct, sexual excitement, or "ultimate sexual acts" (including intercourse, oral sex, or bestiality). Violating this law is classified as a class 5 felony, punishable by up to 2.5 years in prison. The law directly affects government entities, their contractors, and the use of public facilities.

Maddy summarySB 1090 prohibits public schools and libraries in Arizona from using or directing minors to sexually explicit materials. Schools must obtain written parental consent for each material with serious educational value and provide alternative assignments for students without consent. Libraries are similarly barred from facilitating minors' access to such materials. Violations by staff acting with criminal negligence are classified as class 5 felonies. The bill directly affects public school and library staff, students, and minors accessing these resources.

Maddy summaryHB 2188, titled "Defend the Guard Act," restricts Arizona's National Guard from being deployed in active duty combat without specific authorization. It requires either a formal U.S. Congressional declaration of war or a concurrent resolution passed by the Arizona legislature to deploy troops in combat. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duties in foreign countries, or carrying out war-related tasks. This law directly affects Arizona's National Guard deployment decisions, ensuring they align with the bill's authorization requirements.