Rep. Betty Villegas

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Maddy summaryHB 2444 repeals a specific outdated provision (Section 9-461.16) from Arizona's zoning code while amending Section 9-462.01 to clarify existing zoning regulations. The bill directly affects Arizona municipalities that use these zoning codes for land use planning, including regulations on residential development, historical districts, and age-restricted communities. It makes no new policy changes but updates the legal text to remove redundant language and streamline the process for municipalities to adopt zoning rules. This is a technical correction to the state's zoning statutes, not a substantive change to housing policy.

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 summaryThis Arizona bill (HB 2533) protects workers during public health emergencies by prohibiting employers from retaliating against workers who report safety concerns, wear recommended personal protective equipment (like masks), or oppose violations of the law. It bans employers from forcing non-disclosure agreements about workplace hazards and requires posting of worker rights notices. Violations can result in civil penalties of $100 per day, reinstatement, or back pay for affected workers. The law applies broadly to most workers, including those employed by large contracting entities and migrant laborers, during declared emergencies like pandemics.

Maddy summaryHB 2246 appropriates $50 million from Arizona's long-term water augmentation fund for the Department of Water Resources to compensate irrigation rights holders for permanently retiring or reducing their existing water rights. This directly affects agricultural water users who hold "grandfathered" irrigation rights, offering them financial compensation to reduce or eliminate their water usage. The bill requires the department to begin purchasing these rights by December 31, 2025, using funds specifically exempt from standard appropriation rules. The policy change focuses on incentivizing voluntary reductions in water allocation for irrigation through direct financial compensation.

Maddy summaryHB 2593 requires Arizona school districts to offer preschool educational programs for children with specific disabilities (including hearing, visual, developmental delays, or speech impairments) who reside within the district. Charter schools may choose to provide these programs. The bill mandates that districts evaluate children before admission and specifies that these preschoolers count as half a full-time student for funding purposes. It also directs the state board to distribute 10% of federal funds for preschool disability programs to school districts and charters that choose to participate. This bill directly affects preschool children with disabilities and school districts managing their educational services.

Maddy summaryHB 2504 amends Arizona statutes to standardize terminology and restrict immigration-related activities. It changes "legal resident alien" to "legal resident alien immigrant" in liquor licensing (Section 1), prohibits adoption of undocumented immigrants under age 21 (Section 2), and bans cities/counties from building work centers facilitating employment of undocumented immigrants (Sections 3-4). The bill also mandates state agencies to enforce federal immigration laws "to the full extent permitted" (Section 5). These changes directly affect liquor license applicants, adoption petitioners, and local governments constructing work centers.

Maddy summaryHB 2427 appropriates $10 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to fund remedial education programs at Tohono O'odham Community College. The funds will be distributed through the governor's office on tribal relations, specifically for students enrolled in remedial classes at the college. This bill directly affects Tohono O'odham Community College and its students needing academic support. It provides concrete, dedicated funding for remedial education without altering broader educational policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2250 amends Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) to require contractors to provide preventive dental care for enrollees aged 21 and older. This directly affects Arizona Medicaid recipients who are adults, expanding their covered services to include routine dental prevention (like cleanings and check-ups) without an annual cost limit. The bill adds dental care as a covered service under Section 36-2907, specifying that emergency dental care and extractions remain capped at $1,000 per year for adults. It does not change eligibility or funding but mandates this coverage as part of the state's Medicaid benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 2245 allocates $10 million from Arizona's general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Health Services to cover the cost of medical marijuana registry identification cards for veterans. It directly affects Arizona veterans of the U.S. armed forces who use medical marijuana under state law, removing their fee burden for these cards. The bill ensures this funding is exempt from standard appropriation lapse rules, guaranteeing the money remains available for card issuance and renewals throughout the fiscal year. This is a funding mechanism, not a policy change to medical marijuana laws.