Rep. Betty Villegas

Maddy summaryHB 2470 adjusts Arizona legislators' daily subsistence payments during legislative sessions. It replaces a fixed $35 rate for Maricopa County residents with a new system where all legislators receive 100% of the federal per diem rate (including lodging) for non-Maricopa residents, and Maricopa residents get $35 for the first 120 session days. After 120 days, Maricopa residents receive $10 daily, while non-Maricopa residents get 50% of the annual federal rate. The annual rate is set by the Department of Administration using U.S. General Services Administration data, and legislators may opt out of these payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2741 designates the third Tuesday in January each year as Arizona's "National Day of Racial Healing" for public observation. The bill specifies this day is not a legal holiday, meaning state offices and schools would remain open. It aims to encourage community reflection and dialogue on racial healing through state-level recognition, without imposing new legal requirements or funding. This is a symbolic, non-binding designation focused on raising awareness.

Maddy summaryHB 2296 prohibits Arizona state agencies and local governments from requiring public works contractors to sign neutrality agreements, project labor agreements, or contribute to federally registered apprenticeship programs as a condition of winning or performing public construction projects. It directly affects contractors bidding on state or local public works contracts, such as building or repairing public infrastructure. The bill defines key terms like "neutrality agreement" (requiring contractors to stay neutral toward unions) and "project labor agreement" (pre-hire bargaining agreements), banning these as mandatory contract conditions. It explicitly does not prevent private collective bargaining or interfere with federally protected labor activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2629 amends Arizona's corporate income tax law to increase the minimum tax for corporations with 50 or more employees from $50 to $1,000. Smaller corporations (fewer than 50 employees) remain subject to the $50 minimum tax. The bill also updates the tax rate schedule for corporate income (e.g., lowering rates from 6.968% to 4.9% over time), but the primary change is the higher minimum tax for larger businesses. This amendment applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2633 establishes the Arizona Commission on Latino Affairs to address the needs of Arizona's Latino community. The commission consists of nine voting members (seven appointed Latino residents and two non-Latino residents) appointed by the governor, plus non-voting advisors with expertise in education, health, civil rights, social services, and small business. Its key duties include advising the governor on policies affecting Latinos, assisting state agencies with Latino-focused programs, and hosting an annual Latino Legislative Day. The bill also creates a dedicated fund to support the commission's operations, with annual reporting requirements to the governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2561 appropriates $7 million from Arizona's general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to provide housing assistance to Arizonans aged 60 or older. The funds will be distributed by the Department of Economic Security to local area agencies on aging established under the federal Older Americans Act. This bill creates a dedicated funding stream for housing help (like rent or utility assistance) for seniors, intended to continue annually in future budgets. The appropriation is exempt from standard rules requiring annual re-approval, ensuring the funds remain available without needing yearly legislative action.

Maddy summaryHB 2595 appropriates $45 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to Coconino County through the Attorney General. The funds will directly support constructing a new juvenile court services facility and converting the county's existing juvenile detention center into a detox, sobriety, and crisis recovery center. This bill provides concrete financial resources for physical infrastructure changes within Coconino County's juvenile services system. It does not alter eligibility or service standards but focuses on facility development and repurposing. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having passed its first two readings.

Maddy summaryHB 2526 repeals Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2160, which previously regulated the mailing of abortion medication. This change removes a specific legal restriction on sending abortion pills by mail within Arizona. The bill directly affects individuals seeking medication abortion services by eliminating this mailing restriction under state law. (3 sentences)

Maddy summaryHB 2298 amends Arizona law to restrict how public universities can increase tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students. It prohibits tuition hikes exceeding the Phoenix metropolitan area consumer price index (CPI) for resident students and freezes tuition for the first four consecutive years of enrollment. The bill requires universities to hold public hearings on proposed increases, disclose details 10 days in advance, and report enrollment data to the legislature. These changes directly affect Arizona public university students (especially in-state undergraduates) and the Arizona Board of Regents, which administers the new rules.

Maddy summaryArizona's HB 2358 bans state prison contracts for inmate telephone services that allow the Department of Corrections to profit beyond reasonable operating costs. The bill prohibits agreements involving commissions, profit sharing, signing bonuses, inflated rent, or unrelated technology payments. It directly affects the Department of Corrections and inmates who use phone services, ensuring contracts only cover actual service costs. The law requires contracts to be limited to the department's necessary expenses for establishing and managing the phone system.