Rep. Rachel Keshel

Maddy summaryHB 2074 amends Arizona law to criminalize most partial-birth abortions, classifying them as a class 6 felony for physicians who knowingly perform them. The bill requires all medical personnel (including nurses and technicians) with direct knowledge of such procedures to report them to county attorneys or face a class 2 misdemeanor charge. It eliminates the previous exception for "life-threatening conditions," stating advances in medicine make such abortions never medically necessary, and allows civil lawsuits by fathers or maternal grandparents for damages. The law explicitly states women receiving the procedure face no criminal or civil liability. This proposed legislation directly affects physicians, medical facilities, and healthcare workers in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHCR 2061 proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit individuals holding dual citizenship from serving in Arizona state office. It would amend the state constitution to require all state legislators and other elected officials (as listed in Article V, Section 1) to be U.S. citizens at the time of election, explicitly barring those with dual citizenship from eligibility. This change would directly affect candidates running for state legislative seats and other state offices requiring U.S. citizenship. The amendment must be approved by voters in the next general election after being submitted by the Secretary of State, as it is currently in early legislative stages (House first and second readings in February 2026).

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill seeks a federal waiver to prohibit SNAP benefits from being used for fast food purchases while allowing their use for vitamins. If approved, SNAP recipients in Arizona would no longer be able to buy fast food with their benefits but could purchase vitamins using the program. The state would need to annually request this waiver until approved. The bill is currently in early legislative review stages (prefiled, first reading) and does not change existing SNAP rules until federal approval is granted.

Maddy summaryHB 4085 requires referral agencies connecting people to assisted living facilities to clearly tell prospective residents (or their representatives) about any financial ties to the facility, the fee amount (capped at 50% of first month's rent), and how to stop the referral service. It mandates a specific written or electronic disclosure form in 14-point font, including details about business relationships and the right to terminate services at any time. Facilities cannot pay referral fees until they receive the signed disclosure and resident acknowledgment. The bill also imposes up to $1,000 fines for agencies that fail to comply with these disclosure rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4069 creates a special license plate program for vehicles used by police service dogs in Arizona. To implement the program, an individual or organization must pay $32,000 to the state department, design the plate (subject to approval), and cover a $25 annual fee per plate. Of the $25 fee, $17 is designated as an annual donation to a new "police service dogs special plate fund," while $8 covers administrative costs. This program directly affects those who pay the $32,000 setup fee and annual plate fees, with the donated funds supporting police service dog initiatives. The bill amends Arizona's vehicle registration laws to establish this specific plate category.

Maddy summaryHB 2842 requires escrow agents in Arizona to report specific property details to the state department when handling real estate sales or transfers. This includes owner names, property identification numbers, physical addresses, escrow company names, and contact information. The bill also establishes a voluntary "early alert system" allowing property owners to opt in for email or text notifications about pending sales. These changes directly affect escrow agents (who must comply with reporting) and property owners (who can choose to receive alerts). The law aims to improve transparency in property transactions through standardized data sharing.

Maddy summaryHB 4003 protects parents who make domestic violence allegations in family court in good faith to protect a child or vulnerable person, ensuring unsubstantiated claims (not proven false) cannot be used against them. It establishes clear standards: parents face sanctions (like fines under $5,000 or attorney fees) only if a court finds by clear evidence they knowingly made false claims to harass, retaliate, or delay proceedings. Courts must document findings and refer willful false allegations to prosecutors for potential perjury charges. The law also mandates judicial training to distinguish between unsubstantiated claims and deliberate lies, while prohibiting the use of recanted or unconfirmed allegations to prove parental unfitness.

Maddy summaryHB 4024 amends Arizona law to add a specific exemption for family child care providers certified by the U.S. Department of Defense or Coast Guard. This exemption applies only to providers serving children affiliated with military branches, excluding those who also care for non-military children. The bill clarifies that such facilities are exempt from standard child care licensing requirements under Arizona Revised Statutes §36-884. It does not create new services but modifies existing exemptions to align with military certification standards. This directly affects military-affiliated family child care providers operating within Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2974 is a definitional amendment to Arizona law, not a new prohibition on biologic weapons. It defines key terms for existing terrorism and animal facility protection statutes, including "biological agent" (microorganisms or toxins that cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment) and "animal or ecological terrorism" (felony acts targeting animal facilities with property damage over $10,000 or injury to personnel). The bill clarifies legal standards for prosecuting crimes involving biological agents or attacks on animal facilities, such as farms, zoos, or research labs. It directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors handling terrorism cases involving biological threats or animal facilities, but does not create new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHB 2554 amends Arizona's budget process by requiring the governor to submit a two-year budget plan (biennial budget) with separate annual breakdowns, instead of a single-year plan. It mandates that state agencies submit detailed financial estimates by September 1 each even-numbered year, including costs from local minimum wage increases exceeding state levels. The bill also establishes a continuous budget planning process, requires a February 15 appropriations estimate report, and specifies detailed contents for the governor's budget report (like balance sheets, income/expenditure schedules, and performance measures). This procedural bill affects the governor's office, state agencies, and the legislature by standardizing budget submission and reporting requirements for the next two fiscal years.