Maddy summaryHB 2490 amends Arizona law to restrict bail eligibility for specific serious offenses, directly affecting defendants charged with crimes like sexual assault, child molestation (under defined age circumstances), and certain immigration-related felonies. It prohibits bail for these offenses if "proof is evident or presumption great," adding immigration status (e.g., illegal entry/remaining in the U.S.) as a key factor for denial. The bill also requires courts to hold expedited hearings within 24 hours for dangerous offense cases, considering factors like gang membership, prior violent offenses, and victim safety. For all bailable offenses, judges must weigh new criteria including immigration status, drug use, and domestic violence risk assessments before setting release terms. These changes aim to prioritize community safety and victim protection in bail determinations.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 2620 requires Arizona's Department of Public Safety to create a secure online portal for federally licensed firearms dealers to verify the validity of concealed weapons permits presented by buyers. If a buyer shows a valid concealed weapons permit, dealers must check the portal before selling a firearm; if the permit is invalid, they must conduct a background check. The bill prohibits the state from collecting data on how often dealers use the portal. This affects firearms dealers and permit holders by adding a verification step during sales, with no data retention on query activity. The $300,000 appropriation funds the portal's development and maintenance.
Maddy summaryBased on the provided bill text, HB 2512 is a court fee schedule amendment with no connection to firearm transfers or domestic violence as suggested by its title. The bill solely modifies Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-284 to adjust filing fees for various court procedures (e.g., $188 for initial case filings, $100 for answers, $30 for basic documents like power of attorney). It directly affects individuals and entities interacting with Arizona's court system who pay these fees. The bill contains no provisions related to firearm transfers, domestic violence offenses, or policy changes addressing those topics. The title appears to be inaccurate or mislabeled based on the actual content provided.
Maddy summaryHB 2513 amends Arizona's misconduct involving weapons statute (ARS § 13-3102) by adding a new provision (subsection A.17) that makes it a crime to instigate another person to commit certain weapon offenses. It directly affects individuals who encourage others to engage in prohibited weapon conduct, such as carrying concealed weapons during serious crimes or using weapons in gang-related activities. The key mechanism is criminalizing the act of provoking or urging someone else to violate existing weapon laws, expanding liability beyond the direct perpetrator. This is a substantive policy change to the existing statute, not a procedural measure.
Maddy summaryHB 2619 prohibits most private possession, sale, or transfer of assault weapons and large-capacity magazines (holding more than 10 rounds) in Arizona. It requires current owners of such weapons to register them within 90 days of the law's effective date, surrender them, render them inoperable, or remove them from the state. Registered owners must store weapons securely, undergo annual background checks, and face strict usage rules (e.g., only on owned property or licensed ranges). Violations carry fines starting at $750 for first offenses, escalating to felony penalties for repeat or other violations, with exemptions for law enforcement and military personnel.
Maddy summaryHB 2685 creates a $350 state earned income tax credit for Arizona residents who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It directly affects low-income individuals and families by providing a refundable tax credit that can be claimed on state income tax returns, with one credit allowed per household annually. The bill requires claimants to file the credit with their tax return (except for those with no tax liability who meet specific filing exceptions) and allows excess credit amounts to be paid as refunds. This credit applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
Maddy summaryHB 2445 modifies Arizona's tax deed sale process to prioritize affordable housing. It allows counties, cities, towns, or special districts to purchase tax-deeded properties (land seized for unpaid taxes) for low-income housing projects, provided the housing meets HUD standards and includes a 30-year covenant requiring continued affordability. This directly affects local governments seeking to develop or acquire land for affordable housing, as it permits them to buy such properties without public auction and sell/lease them below market value while maintaining long-term affordability. The bill does not change tax collection or general sale procedures but creates a specific pathway for affordable housing development using tax-foreclosed land.
Maddy summaryHB 2586 creates a mobile communications platform for Arizona election workers, including poll workers, drivers, warehouse staff, and voter registration personnel. The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish this platform and deploy it in a pilot program across one or more counties, with counties potentially using it at reduced or no cost. It appropriates $200,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the pilot, which expires on December 31, 2026. The legislation directly affects election workers and local election offices participating in the pilot.
Maddy summaryHB 2621 requires most private firearm sales or transfers between non-dealers to go through a licensed firearms dealer for a background check, with the buyer paying up to $20 for the service. It mandates in-person verification at the dealer’s location and prohibits transfers if background checks reveal legal prohibitions. The law excludes law enforcement, gunsmith repairs, antique firearms (pre-1898), immediate family gifts, and certain temporary transfers. Violating the bill carries a class 5 felony penalty. This directly affects private sellers and buyers who aren’t licensed dealers.
Maddy summaryHB 2383 allocates $8 million from Arizona’s state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support applied research centers specializing in specific technology fields. It directs $3 million for medical technology centers, $2 million for clean energy/water sustainability tech, $2 million for semiconductors, and $1 million for other beneficial technologies, with centers required to match funds from non-state sources. Centers must collaborate with universities and businesses, report annual expenditures to the legislature, and use funds for workforce training in relevant fields. The funding is exempt from standard budget lapsing rules but requires unspent funds to revert to the state by June 2027.