Rep. Stephanie Simacek

Maddy summaryHB 2802 bans retail stores from providing free single-use checkout bags to customers. Instead, stores must charge at least $0.05 per bag for reusable fabric, recycled paper, or reusable plastic bags (defined as durable, multi-use bags). Stores must report total fees collected and bag types distributed to the Department of Environmental Quality, and face civil penalties of up to $250 per day for violations. The law exempts certain bags (like those for bulk items, frozen food, or WIC/EBT customers) and requires a state impact report by 2032. It takes effect in 2029 and expires in 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 2912, the "Wage Antidiscrimination Act," prohibits Arizona employers from asking about a job applicant’s past salary or using salary history to screen candidates before making a job offer. It also protects employees who discuss wages or raise concerns about pay discrimination from retaliation. Employers violating the law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and may be sued for damages, including lost wages and attorney fees. The bill strengthens existing equal pay laws by banning employers from using prior salary as a defense in discrimination cases and requires employers to include wage rights in employee handbooks.

Maddy summaryHB 2848 requires corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or their affiliates purchasing single-family homes in Arizona to register with the Corporation Commission before buying. County recorders cannot record deeds unless the buyer provides proof of registration and the deed states the property is not the owner’s primary residence. The bill limits corporate buyers to owning no more than 5% of a county’s single-family homes (or 100 units annually in counties with over 400,000 residents), with exceptions for entities owning fewer than ten homes statewide. These rules apply to commercial investors buying homes, aiming to limit large-scale corporate ownership in residential neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryArizona's HCR 2054 formally ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a constitutional proposal originally adopted by Congress in 1972. The bill directs Arizona's Secretary of State to transmit the state's approval to federal officials, supporting the ERA's goal of guaranteeing equality under the law regardless of sex. This resolution does not create new state laws but affirms Arizona's position in the process of achieving the required ratifications for the ERA to become part of the U.S. Constitution. The measure directly affects Arizona's role in the federal constitutional amendment process, not Arizona residents' rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2812 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows individuals who attended Arizona high school (public, private, or homeschool) for at least two years and graduated in-state - regardless of immigration status - to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona universities or community colleges. The bill specifically clarifies that people without lawful immigration status meet the residency requirements under this provision. It does not change requirements for nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., students on F-1 visas). The amendment requires a three-fourths legislative vote for implementation.

Maddy summaryHCR 2052 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal a provision requiring Arizona school districts and community college districts to follow annual spending limits. Currently, these limits are calculated by the Economic Estimates Commission based on 1979-1980 spending levels adjusted for student population and cost of living. The repeal would eliminate this requirement, removing the need for annual calculations and the spending cap for districts. This change would require voter approval and a governor's proclamation to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2816 appropriates $122,300,300 from Arizona's state general fund and $402,981,400 in Medicaid funding for the Department of Economic Security's developmental disabilities program during fiscal year 2024-2025. This bill provides specific supplemental funding to cover program expenses without altering eligibility or service requirements. The funding directly supports the state's developmental disabilities services, which assist individuals with disabilities and their families. As a funding measure, it does not change program rules or create new policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2499 restricts the sale and use of neonicotinoid pesticides (a class including chemicals like imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) in Arizona. It requires sellers to hold a restricted-use pesticide license and limits user eligibility to certified applicators, veterinarians, or wood preservers. Exceptions cover pet care products, personal care items, indoor insect control, and wood preservatives. Violations are classified as class 3 misdemeanors, and the law takes effect January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHCR 2050 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would establish annual spending limits for Arizona school districts and community colleges. It requires the Economic Estimates Commission to calculate each year’s spending cap by adjusting 1979-1980 local revenue expenditures for changes in student population and cost of living, then applying a 10% multiplier. The amendment excludes specific funding sources (like bond proceeds, federal grants, and tuition) from the cap calculation. If approved by voters, this would limit total school district spending growth unless the legislature passes a two-thirds vote concurrent resolution allowing an exception. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House first/second reading) and requires voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2510 creates a program to fund curbside composting in Arizona cities by establishing a dedicated "municipal composting program fund." This fund will receive money from fees on imported hazardous waste (waste classified as hazardous where generated but not in Arizona) and use it to award grants to eligible municipalities for composting programs. The bill requires the state to adopt rules setting eligibility for grants and managing the waste fees. It also establishes new rules for handling imported hazardous waste, including its transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal.