Rep. Gail Griffin

Maddy summaryHB 2058 amends Arizona's laws governing the Game and Fish Commission's membership structure. It specifies that the commission must consist of five members appointed by the governor, with no more than three from the same political party and no two members from the same county. The bill also requires at least one member to be a cattleman or rancher, ensuring diverse representation on wildlife management decisions. These changes clarify membership qualifications and procedures for appointments and removals, without altering the commission's conservation duties.

Maddy summaryHB 2054 amends Arizona's water law by clarifying the definition of "water provider" in Section 49-1201. It explicitly adds "natural resource conservation district" and "multi-county water conservation district" to the list of entities recognized as water providers. This change directly affects conservation districts and their ability to participate in water supply development projects under future state water programs. The bill is purely definitional and does not create new funding, regulations, or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 limits administrative spending for state agencies and local governments receiving public funds. It requires that no more than 8% of total public monies received can be used for administrative costs, overriding any conflicting laws. The bill directly affects all budget units or political subdivisions (like cities, counties, or state departments) that manage public funds. This policy change sets a concrete spending cap to control operational expenses for these entities.

Maddy summaryHB 2091 allows the Arizona Department of Water Resources to review pending applications for a "certificate of assured water supply" for land in the Phoenix Active Management Area (AMA) submitted between January 2021 and August 2023. It requires municipal water providers to annually report excess groundwater and offer 25% of it as water storage credits to the Central Arizona Groundwater Replenishment District (CAGRD), reducing their annual replenishment tax obligation. The bill also permits applications using older groundwater models (2006-2009) to meet physical availability requirements and retroactively dates approved certificates to 2023 for future water rights. The law expires on December 31, 2028.

Maddy summaryHCR 2055 is a voter referendum (not enacted law) proposing that Arizona declare drug cartels "terrorist organizations" under state law and direct the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to address this threat. It defines "drug cartel" as groups engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism, and states that this declaration does not affect asylum claims under federal law. The resolution cites voter-approved Proposition 314 and findings about border security concerns, including fentanyl trafficking and border crossings by individuals on terrorist watchlists. This measure failed to pass in the June 27, 2025, vote and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHCR 2013 is a proposed law requiring Arizona counties to verify voters' addresses before mailing early ballots and restricting foreign funding in election administration. It mandates that large counties (500,000+ population) require voters to confirm their address each election cycle via mail, phone, or online portal before receiving an early ballot, while smaller counties must do so every four years. The measure also prohibits government election administration from using funds from foreign governments or non-U.S. individuals, requiring vendors to certify annually they receive no such funds and imposing misdemeanor penalties for violations. This referendum failed to pass in June 2025 and would require voter approval to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2298 amends Arizona law to clarify water management goals for five Active Management Areas (AMAs), directly affecting water users in Tucson, Phoenix, Prescott, Pinal, and Santa Cruz regions. It sets a "safe-yield" target (balancing water use with natural replenishment) by January 1, 2025, for Tucson, Phoenix, and Prescott AMAs. For Pinal AMA, it prioritizes allowing non-irrigation development while preserving agricultural economies where feasible. Santa Cruz AMA must maintain safe-yield conditions and prevent long-term water table declines. The bill updates specific requirements for each AMA without changing broader water management frameworks.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 continues Arizona's on-farm irrigation efficiency pilot program, providing grants to farmers for installing water-saving irrigation systems that reduce groundwater, surface water, or Colorado River water use by at least 20% compared to flood irrigation. The program, administered by the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, offers funding up to $1,500 per irrigable acre with strict requirements including verified water savings, three years of active farming history, and crop-specific eligibility. Recipients must use the new systems for three years, report water savings data, and cannot claim state tax credits for equipment paid with grant funds. The bill mandates annual reports tracking grant distribution, acres affected, technology types, and water conservation results to inform future water management decisions.

Maddy summaryHB 2779 amends Arizona law to clarify procedures for taking juveniles into temporary custody and establishes training for school security personnel. It requires peace officers to notify a juvenile’s parents, guardian, or custodian (unless safety is at risk) when taking a juvenile into custody for alleged misconduct, and mandates explaining juvenile Miranda rights in understandable language. The bill also creates a new training program for school law enforcement officers and security staff, requiring completion within one month of starting a school-related role (or presenting a valid certificate if completed within two years). These changes apply to all school districts and charter schools, with the training requirement effective June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects juveniles, their families, law enforcement officers, and school security personnel.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1109 prohibits foreign principals (including governments, businesses, or individuals from countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks) from owning or acquiring most real property in Arizona. Exceptions allow small residential parcels (≤2 acres) for natural persons with valid U.S. visas, provided the property is not near military sites or critical infrastructure. The Attorney General enforces the law, and courts can order the sale of illegally held property, with proceeds distributed to lienholders, the state, and the original owner. The bill directly affects foreign entities from designated countries but exempts existing owners and specific residential purchases meeting strict conditions.