Rep. Gail Griffin

Maddy summaryHB 2299 allows the Arizona Department of Water Resources to review pending applications for a certificate of assured water supply in the Phoenix active management area. It applies to applicants who submitted requests between January 2021 and May 2023 and haven’t yet received approval or had their application denied. The department must review these applications within 15 days using either the 2006-2009 Salt River valley model or the 2006 Lower Hassayampa groundwater model, with applicants having 90 days to request a review after the bill’s effective date. The bill expires on December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2680 proposed increasing sentencing for felony offenses committed against vulnerable adults or incapacitated persons in Arizona. If passed, it would have removed eligibility for probation, suspended sentences, or early release (except under specific exceptions) for offenders convicted of such crimes. The bill would have added 3 years to sentences for class 4-6 felonies or 5 years for class 2-3 felonies, with the additional time served in addition to any existing enhancements. This bill directly affected offenders convicted of targeting individuals defined as vulnerable adults (per ARS 13-3623) or incapacitated persons (per ARS 14-5101). The bill passed the House but failed in the Senate on March 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Arizona government entities and election vendors from using money or services from foreign governments or non-citizens for election administration. It also bans foreign entities from funding efforts to influence ballot measure outcomes. Vendors must provide annual written statements confirming they don’t receive foreign funds, with penalties for false statements (up to three times the contract value). The law explicitly excludes federally recognized tribal nations from the definition of "foreign government."

Maddy summaryHB 2800 prohibits insurance companies from canceling or refusing to renew fire insurance policies for 24 months after a governor declares a state of emergency due to a natural disaster or wildfire. It specifically protects homeowners and businesses whose properties are located within five miles of the affected disaster area. The law applies only when a state of emergency is declared under Arizona law, preventing insurers from dropping coverage during this critical recovery period. This policy change directly affects residents and businesses in wildfire-prone communities following declared disasters.

Maddy summaryHB 2739 requires manufacturers, packagers, or retailers of food products made from cultivated cells (like lab-grown meat) to label the product packaging with "This food product is derived from cultivated cells." The bill directly affects food companies producing such products sold in Arizona. Its key provision mandates this specific labeling language on all packaging, ensuring consumers can identify these products. The law does not restrict the sale of cultivated cell products but requires clear disclosure of their origin.

Maddy summaryHB 2081 amends Arizona's tax code to allow taxpayers to deduct a specific federal credit related to social security taxes paid by employers on employee cash tips. This change directly affects tipped workers and their employers, as it permits a subtraction from Arizona taxable income for the amount of the federal "credit for employer paid social security taxes on employee cash tips" (under IRC Section 51(a)). The provision updates Section 43-1022 of Arizona law by adding this credit as a deductible amount under paragraph 8. This is a technical tax code adjustment that reduces taxable income for eligible taxpayers, not a new policy about tipping practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2833 updates Arizona's rules for political parties' legislative district committees, affecting how these committees organize after redistricting. The bill requires committees to reorganize using new district boundaries following reapportionment legislation, electing leaders like a chairman and secretary, and clarifies that the district chair automatically joins the county committee (without voting) if they live in that county. It also establishes that existing committees continue operating during legal challenges to redistricting until a court resolves the issue, after which old committees dissolve. The bill passed the Arizona House in February 2025 and moved to the Senate for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 amends Arizona's tax code to add new sales tax exemptions for specific items. It exempts sales of "cash equivalents" (like gift cards, stored-value cards, and prepaid digital payment tools) and "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, etc.) from retail sales tax. The bill defines "cash equivalents" as pre-paid items denominated in money redeemable for goods/services, excluding telecom prepaids, and clarifies that "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) is exempt. This directly affects retailers selling these items, removing tax liability on such transactions. The bill focuses solely on tax policy, with no provisions related to firearm storage devices as inaccurately suggested in the title.

Maddy summaryHB 2082 amends Arizona's retail tax code to add a new exemption for tangible personal property sold to qualifying hospitals or healthcare organizations. Specifically, it exempts property sold to these entities when used solely for providing health, medical, educational, or charitable services. This change expands existing tax exemptions listed under Arizona Revised Statutes § 42-5061, directly affecting healthcare providers that meet the statutory definition in § 42-5001. The bill does not address wastewater pipes or infrastructure, as its focus is solely on broadening tax exemptions for healthcare-related purchases.

Maddy summaryHB 2552 amends Arizona wildlife laws to explicitly prohibit rules that would ban the use of dogs for hunting. It directly affects hunters using dogs and wildlife management commissions by requiring that commission rules "shall not prohibit the use of dogs to take wildlife." The bill adds a new requirement for the commission to consider economic impacts on resource-dependent communities when making wildlife management policies. Key provisions include clarifying that hunters may legally use dogs to take wildlife and mandating that economic impact assessments be part of rulemaking processes.