Rep. Betty Villegas

Maddy summaryHB 2745 establishes legal rights for individuals seeking fertility treatments in Arizona, defining key terms like "fertility treatment" (including IVF, embryo storage, and genetic testing) and "health care provider." It guarantees individuals the right to access these treatments without unreasonable restrictions, retain control over their reproductive materials, and continue ongoing care per written agreements. Health care providers gain explicit rights to perform or counsel on fertility treatments within their scope, while insurers retain the right to cover such services. The bill also exempts the Department of Health Services and health boards from standard rulemaking requirements for one year to implement these provisions, as outlined in Section 36-1305.01.

Maddy summaryHB 2757 restricts unjustified price increases for "essential off-patent or generic drugs" in Arizona, directly affecting drug manufacturers and distributors. It prohibits "price gouging" (defined as excessive increases not tied to production costs or public health needs) and requires the state medical assistance program to notify the Attorney General about significant price hikes (e.g., 50%+ within a year or costs exceeding $80 for a standard supply). The Attorney General can then demand cost explanations from manufacturers and pursue enforcement actions, including court orders, refunds, or civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation. The law targets drugs with limited competition where price jumps leave patients with no affordable alternatives, focusing on protecting Medicaid patients and consumers.

Maddy summaryHB 2782 creates a state-run health insurance consumer assistance program to help Arizonans navigate claim denials, appeals, and enrollment issues. It requires health insurers to prominently display information about this program on all benefit explanations and denials, while mandating insurers to report data on denied claims to the state. Insurers that wrongfully deny or underpay valid claims face civil penalties (up to $25,000 per violation), double damages for consumers, and potential license suspension. The program also tracks claim issues, compiles annual public reports on denial rates, and requires insurers to disclose denial data upon request.

Maddy summaryHB 2799 requires Arizona-based businesses selling online subscriptions to make cancellation simple and transparent for customers. Specifically, it mandates that businesses: (1) let customers cancel using the same method they enrolled with, without extra steps; (2) clearly explain renewal terms and cancellation instructions at signup; (3) send renewal reminders allowing customers to opt out; and (4) only offer retention incentives *after* a customer expresses intent to cancel. This directly affects online subscription services operating in Arizona, aiming to prevent "bait-and-switch" tactics and ensure fair cancellation processes. The law focuses on concrete business practices rather than broader policy outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2751 creates a 1% surcharge on payroll taxes for Arizona businesses employing 50 or more people, starting in 2026. This surcharge applies to all business types (including corporations, partnerships, and LLCs), with co-owners paying based on their ownership share. The collected funds will be deposited into a new Community College Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Program Fund. The money will specifically support community colleges in developing apprenticeship and workforce training programs, directly benefiting workers seeking job skills and businesses needing trained employees.

Maddy summaryHB 2781 amends Arizona's landlord-tenant law to authorize the Attorney General to investigate violations of the chapter under consumer fraud and civil rights statutes. It directly affects landlords and tenants by adding the Attorney General as an enforcement authority for these violations, alongside existing mechanisms. The key provision allows the Attorney General to investigate under Title 44 (consumer protection) and Title 41 (civil rights) without creating new tenant or landlord obligations. This is a procedural change to enforcement, not a policy shift in tenant rights. The bill is in early stages (House first and second readings in February 2025).

Maddy summaryHB 2752 imposes a $300 annual surcharge on tuition paid by out-of-state students attending Arizona public universities. The collected funds will be deposited into a new Arizona Higher Education Financial Aid Program Fund. Starting in 2026, this fund will provide full tuition and fee coverage to eligible Arizona residents enrolled at state universities or community colleges who maintain a 2.0 GPA. To qualify, students must be Arizona residents, enrolled at a qualifying institution, and meet the GPA requirement. The bill also includes an initial $500,000 appropriation for the fund in fiscal year 2025-2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2780 amends Arizona's landlord-tenant law to clarify eviction rules for "cause," directly affecting tenants and landlords. It specifies that landlords can terminate leases for material breaches (like rent nonpayment or falsified application info) with 10 days' notice, or for health/safety issues with 5 days. For irreparable breaches (e.g., violence, drug activity, or criminal behavior), immediate termination is allowed. Crucially, landlords must provide one month's rent or relocation assistance to tenants with 12+ months of tenancy if evicting for reasons like the landlord moving in or removing the property from the rental market. The bill also prohibits tenants from withholding rent except as permitted by law and outlines procedures for utility disconnection after court orders.

Maddy summaryHB 2709 allocates $5,000,000 from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Navajo Division of Transportation. The funding specifically supports the installation of a box culvert at the Pueblo Colorado Wash crossing in the Cornfields Chapter area. This bill directly affects the Navajo Division of Transportation and the local community by providing resources for a specific infrastructure project. As a funding measure, it does not create new policy but enables a defined construction activity.

Maddy summaryHB 2690 repeals Arizona Revised Statutes §15-120.02, which previously addressed team designations in relation to biological sex. The bill directly affects how athletic teams or similar groups in Arizona may be designated based on biological sex, removing the existing statutory requirement. Key provisions involve eliminating this specific legal provision without creating new rules or requirements. As a procedural repeal bill, it does not establish new policy but removes an existing statute, with the bill currently in early legislative stages (House First/Second Reading, January 2025).