Rep. Stephanie Simacek

Maddy summaryHB 2646 establishes three fundamental rights for Arizona children: the right to maintain relationships with parents (including visitation during parental incarceration), access to confidential health care services (such as contraception, STI treatment, and mental health care without parental consent), and enrollment in public schools with in-person instruction. The bill requires any law affecting these rights to prioritize the child's best interest and be narrowly tailored to a compelling government interest. It specifically allows children to consent to certain health services independently and overrides parental direction regarding public school enrollment. The law applies directly to Arizona children and their parents or legal guardians.

Maddy summaryHB 2739 would limit annual rent increases for Arizona tenants aged 65 or older to a maximum of 3%. Landlords renting to seniors would be prohibited from raising rents by more than this percentage each year. The bill directly affects senior renters in Arizona and their landlords, aiming to provide housing cost stability for fixed-income residents. Currently pending in the Arizona legislature (after House first and second readings in January 2026), it has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2636 proposes to increase Arizona's individual income tax rates for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2021. The bill would amend tax brackets to raise rates across all income levels for both residents and nonresidents earning income within Arizona. Key provisions include adjusting the percentage rates applied to different income ranges, such as increasing the top marginal rate for single filers and married couples filing jointly. This legislation directly affects all Arizona taxpayers subject to individual income tax, with changes applying to future tax years. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First/Second Reading in 2026).

Maddy summaryHB 2715 repeals Section 9-461.16 of Arizona's zoning code, which previously addressed specific municipal planning procedures. This bill does not alter the main zoning regulations found in Section 9-462.01 (which governs land use, building standards, and special districts like historical or age-restricted zones). Municipalities will continue to operate under the existing zoning framework, as this repeal only removes one specific section from the statutes. The bill directly affects local governments that implement zoning ordinances but does not change how communities regulate housing or land use.

Maddy summaryHB 2474 updates Arizona's legal terminology by replacing the terms "legal resident alien" and "alien" with "noncitizen" in two sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Specifically, it amends Section 4-202 (liquor license qualifications) and Section 5-301 (watercraft regulations definitions) to use "noncitizen" consistently. The bill does not change eligibility requirements for liquor licenses or watercraft permits; it only revises the language to modernize and clarify statutory references. This is a procedural change focused solely on terminology, not policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2719 creates a new "Community College Access and Success Special Plate" program for Arizona vehicle owners. To obtain these plates, individuals must pay a one-time $32,000 fee to the Department of Transportation (with plate design approval), plus a $25 annual fee. Of the $25 fee, $17 annually funds a dedicated "Community College Access and Success Special Plate Fund" supporting community college programs, while $8 covers administration. This directly affects vehicle owners who choose to purchase these plates, with the funds benefiting Arizona's community college system through the new dedicated fund.

Maddy summaryHB 2525 repeals existing Arizona law requiring abortion providers to submit specific reports to the state. It directly affects abortion providers who previously had to file these reports under Title 36, Chapter 20, Article 2 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. The bill removes this reporting obligation, eliminating a requirement that had been in place for providers. This is a procedural repeal with no new policy changes, simply removing an existing administrative duty.

Maddy summaryHB 2710 updates Arizona's eviction rules by clarifying when landlords can legally terminate leases. It requires landlords to give tenants 10 days to fix most lease violations (like unpaid rent) or 5 days for health/safety issues, but allows immediate eviction for serious, irreparable breaches like violent crimes, drug activity, or property destruction. Crucially, for tenants who have lived in a unit 12+ months, landlords must either waive one month’s rent or provide relocation assistance when terminating for reasons like nonpayment, lease breaches, or the landlord moving in. The bill also specifies that tenants are responsible for guests’ lease violations they could reasonably prevent.

Maddy summaryHB 2461 creates a new 1% surcharge on payroll taxes for Arizona businesses employing 50 or more workers, starting in 2027. The surcharge applies to all business types (including corporations and "small business taxpayers" as defined) and funds a dedicated Community College Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Program Fund. Monies collected will be deposited into this fund to support community college workforce training programs. The bill directly affects businesses with 50+ employees across Arizona, with no changes to existing tax structures beyond this new surcharge.

Maddy summaryArizona's HB 2560 sets a 60-month (5-year) lifetime limit on cash assistance for most families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits. It applies retroactively to assistance received since October 2002, meaning families who have already received 60+ months of TANF cash aid as of July 1, 2026, will lose eligibility. Exceptions include child-only cases, families on Indian reservations with high unemployment, and those with school attendance records over 90% for dependent children. Families meeting work participation requirements and school attendance rules may qualify for an additional 12-month extension. The bill directly affects TANF recipients by limiting their total cash assistance duration.