Rep. Justin Wilmeth

Maddy summaryHB 2869 requires all commercial electricians working for licensed electrical contractors in Arizona to hold a state-issued certification, replacing previous requirements. It establishes three certification levels (commercial electrician, apprentice, trainee), mandates carrying the certificate on job sites with a $300 penalty for non-compliance, and sets experience/exam standards (e.g., 8,000 hours or approved apprenticeship for full certification). The bill excludes certain workers like cable TV technicians, utility employees, and electronic systems technicians from this requirement. Certification must be renewed every three years with 24 hours of continuing education and 2,000 hours of work.

Maddy summaryHB 2556 creates "law enforcement support special plates" for Arizona vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, individuals must pay a one-time $32,000 fee to the state department (not an annual fee), which funds the program. The $25 annual special plate fee includes a $17 contribution to a dedicated law enforcement support fund, with the remaining $8 covering administrative costs. This affects only owners who choose to purchase these specific plates, not all drivers. The plates must be designed by the payer (with state approval) and may be combined with personalized plate requests.

Maddy summaryHB 2316 allows Arizona middle schools (grades 6-8) to offer career technical education (CTE) courses that count toward both 8th-grade promotion and high school graduation. Schools must partner with approved CTE providers like community colleges or state-approved programs, and students must pass courses to earn credit. The bill requires schools to report course offerings and completions annually, with a final report due by 2029, and expires in 2037. It permits CTE districts to fund middle school CTE courses without raising property taxes but prohibits counting middle school students in district enrollment totals.

Maddy summaryHB 2678 adds a new exemption to Arizona's retail sales tax code, removing sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products. This directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items and retailers selling them. The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 42-5061 to explicitly exempt "diapers and feminine hygiene products" from the state's retail sales tax, aligning with similar exemptions for items like food and medical supplies. The change applies to all qualifying products sold within Arizona, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summaryHB 2590 appropriates $2.5 million from the state general fund for the University of Arizona to study agricultural water efficiency and soil health in desert farming. The project requires the university to identify water-saving practices, develop workforce training, partner with tribal communities on traditional knowledge, and share findings with policymakers. It mandates data collection using drones and surveys to analyze farming challenges and develop strategies for better water use and soil management. The university must report progress and recommendations to state leaders by January 2028. This bill directly affects Arizona farmers, agricultural researchers, and tribal communities through its research focus.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new "Astronomy Center" special license plate option for Arizona vehicle owners. To qualify, an individual or entity must pay $32,000 to the state department by December 2026 to design the plate (subject to department approval), with the option to combine it with personalized plates. Vehicle owners purchasing the plate pay a $25 fee per plate, $17 of which is donated annually to the Astronomy Center Special Plate Fund. The remaining $8 covers administration costs, deposited into the state highway fund. This directly affects owners who choose this plate and funds the astronomy center through donations.

Maddy summaryHB 2449 creates a new "blood and biologics special plate" for Arizona license plates, directly affecting residents who donate blood or biologics. To obtain these plates, donors pay a one-time $32,000 fee to fund the program, plus an annual $25 plate fee (with $17 of that amount donated to a dedicated blood and biologics fund). The donor designs the plate (subject to department approval) and can combine it with personalized plate requests. All fees collected for this plate type support blood and biologics initiatives, with the $17 annual donation flowing to a specific fund established by the bill. The bill does not change existing plate requirements for other categories.

Maddy summaryHB 2317 amends Arizona law to prohibit cities and towns from banning "cruising," defined as repetitive driving past the same location without a destination within a specific time period. The bill directly affects local governments by preventing them from enacting or enforcing ordinances that target this type of driving behavior. It updates Section 28-626 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to explicitly state that local authorities "shall not enact or enforce an ordinance... that prohibits cruising." This change ensures uniform traffic laws statewide, allowing cities to create other non-conflicting traffic regulations but not to ban cruising through local ordinances. The bill does not create new penalties or alter other traffic enforcement mechanisms.

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 summaryHB 2704 redirects 82% of certain tax revenues to county stadium districts starting in 2026. Specifically, it directs the state treasurer to transfer these funds annually from tax revenues reported under Section 43-209, subsection D to the county stadium district fund established under Section 48-4231. This allocation applies to tax revenues collected under Title 42, Chapter 5 (transaction privilege tax) and runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2056. The bill directly affects county stadium districts by creating a dedicated, long-term funding source for stadium-related projects and operations.