Rep. Chris Mathis

Maddy summaryHB 2544 prevents cities and counties from restricting which utility providers (water, gas, or electricity) building permit applicants can choose. It prohibits local governments from denying permits based on the proposed utility provider or imposing fees/requirements that favor specific providers. The bill also removes requirements for applicants to hold business licenses as a condition for issuing permits. It repeals conflicting older statutes and ensures local permit processes cannot interfere with a customer’s right to select a capable utility provider, while still allowing reasonable permit fees and public safety enforcement.

Maddy summaryHB 2548 establishes new water efficiency standards for plumbing fixtures in Arizona, effective January 1, 2028, for new residential construction and commercial, industrial, or public buildings. The bill requires faucets (max 3 gallons per minute in residential, 0.5 gallons per minute in commercial), shower heads (max 3 gallons per minute), toilets (max 1.6 gallons per flush), and urinals (max 1 gallon per flush) to meet these flow limits or be certified as Watersense-labeled. It also mandates the use of water-free urinals in all new state buildings, updating an existing requirement. These changes aim to reduce water consumption in building construction and renovations by setting measurable, enforceable standards.

Maddy summaryHB 2717 establishes new rights for sexual assault survivors in Arizona, directly affecting individuals reporting sexual assault and the medical/legal professionals who interact with them. The bill creates confidentiality for communications between survivors and sexual assault victim advocates (requiring advocates to complete 30 hours of training), prohibits charging survivors for medical exams, and guarantees survivors the right to consult an advocate during medical exams or police interviews. It also mandates that survivors be informed of their rights in writing before exams or interviews, restricts the use of sexual assault kits against survivors for unrelated offenses, and requires medical providers to notify law enforcement within 48 hours of collecting evidence. The law aims to protect survivors' privacy and ensure they receive support during sensitive medical and legal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2472 restricts the sale and use of neonicotinoid pesticides (a class of chemicals including imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) in Arizona. It requires sellers to hold a restricted-use pesticide license and limits use to certified applicators, veterinarians, or wood preservers, with key exceptions for pet care products, personal care items, indoor pest control, and wood preservatives. Violations are classified as class 3 misdemeanors. The law takes effect on December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2576 amends Arizona's charter school funding statute to establish an annual inflation adjustment for charter school per-student payments. It sets fixed base rates ($2,131.90 for K-8 and $2,484.69 for 9-12) and requires the legislature to increase charter additional assistance by at least 2% or the GDP price deflator change (whichever is lower) starting in 2026-2027, while ensuring funding never drops below the 2026 base level. This directly affects Arizona charter schools receiving state funding, ensuring their per-student payments rise with inflation. The bill focuses on concrete funding mechanics rather than enrollment or operational rules. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First/Second Reading, 2026).

Maddy summaryHB 2577 requires Arizona's state board of education to implement statewide assessments in reading, writing, and math for students in at least four grades, ensuring tests are uniform, objective, and free from partisan viewpoints. It mandates the collection and public posting of specific nontest data (such as graduation and dropout rates by ethnicity) and sets strict deadlines for schools to receive test scores (May 15 for 3rd grade reading, May 25 for other subjects). The bill also allows students to use scores from nationally recognized assessments to opt out of the state test, with those scores then recorded for school records, and requires the state board to provide intervention strategies for underperforming schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2743 amends Arizona law governing homeowners' associations (HOAs) to clarify notice requirements and limit penalties. It requires HOAs to provide detailed written notices when alleging rule violations - including specific rule references, violation dates, and observers - and gives unit owners 21 days to respond via certified mail. The bill imposes $1,000 damages for HOAs failing to remove unlawful provisions after the first written notice, increasing to $2,500 for subsequent notices. It also caps annual assessment increases at 20% without member approval and limits late fees to $15 or 10% of the unpaid amount. These changes directly affect HOAs and their unit owners by standardizing dispute resolution and financial accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 2714 amends Arizona's tax deed sale process to prioritize affordable housing development. It allows counties to sell property held by the state due to unpaid taxes directly to cities, counties, or housing authorities for low-income housing without requiring a public auction, provided a recorded agreement ensures affordability for at least 30 years. The bill also includes streamlined sales to contiguous property owners (for commercial, agricultural, or residential use) and homeowners' associations for common areas. These changes aim to facilitate affordable housing projects by removing auction barriers for eligible properties while maintaining standard procedures for other sales.

Maddy summaryHCR 2025 is a constitutional amendment proposal that would change how Arizona state legislators' salaries are set. It would establish a commission (appointed by the governor, Senate president, House speaker, and chief justice) to recommend salary changes for legislators, which would then be submitted to voters in the next general election. If approved by voters, the recommended salaries would take effect at the start of the next legislative session without needing further legislative action. This directly affects Arizona state legislators by shifting salary decisions from the legislature to a voter-approved process.

Maddy summaryArizona's legislature is formally approving the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a constitutional amendment proposed by Congress in 1972 that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. The resolution states Arizona's ratification of the amendment and directs the Secretary of State to send the approval to federal officials. This action supports the national effort to achieve the required ratification by 38 states (three-fourths of all states) for the ERA to become part of the U.S. Constitution. The bill does not change Arizona law but advances the federal constitutional process.