Rep. Elda Luna-Nájera

Maddy summaryHB 2852 allows enrolled members of federally recognized Indian tribes in Arizona to have a neutral distinguishing mark on their nonoperating identification license (not a driver's license) that identifies them as Native American. This mark cannot specify a particular tribe or include other personal details from their tribal documents. The bill ensures this identifier is consistent with existing provisions for veterans and other categories while maintaining clear labeling that the license is for identification only, not driving. It affects tribal members seeking state-issued nonoperating IDs, with no change to tribal sovereignty or voting rights.

Maddy summarySB 1311 creates a new "West Valley Charity Special Plate" for Arizona vehicle owners. To implement this, a person must pay $32,000 to the state department upfront, then vehicle owners pay a $25 annual fee ($17 of which is donated to the West Valley Charity Special Plate Fund). The department issues the plates after design approval, and the fund receives all $17 annual donations from plate fees. This program affects Arizona drivers who choose this specialty plate, with the charity fund supporting West Valley community initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2881 creates a state grant program to fund ninth-grade support programs in Arizona public high schools. It provides $150 per ninth-grade student (adjusted for inflation after 2025-2026) to help schools implement data-driven interventions, such as real-time student progress tracking and teacher collaboration, to keep students on track for graduation. Schools must use funds to establish programs focused on academic credit completion and reducing failing grades, with priority given to schools serving economically eligible students. A student is deemed "on track" if they earn at least 25% of required graduation credits by year-end and have no more than one F grade in ninth grade.

Maddy summaryHB 2897 requires Arizona schools to ensure blind students receive individualized braille literacy assessments and appropriate educational services. It mandates that teachers certified to teach visually impaired students must demonstrate braille competence through specific tests or training. The bill also requires textbook publishers to provide electronic versions in standard formats for braille conversion and specifies detailed elements that must be included in each student’s personalized learning plan regarding braille instruction. These changes directly affect blind students, their educators, and textbook publishers in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2882 establishes Arizona's Rental Assistance Program, providing up to three months of rental support to eligible tenants in low- and moderate-income households. The program covers upcoming or past rent payments (without requiring prior delinquency), with funds paid directly to landlords or tenants if landlords refuse, and includes eviction protection for covered months. Funding comes from 50% of designated monies in the Housing Trust Fund, administered by the state department, which must also offer free financial literacy classes to applicants. The bill requires landlords to verify rent balances for delinquent tenants and mandates annual reporting on program usage and housing fund expenditures.

Maddy summaryHB 2853 establishes the Tribal Community College Operations Fund to provide dedicated state funding for tribal community colleges in Arizona. It appropriates $13.3 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2025-2026 through 2027-2028, directly supporting operational costs like instructional programs and daily expenses for these institutions. The fund, managed by the Department of Administration, is exempt from standard appropriation lapse rules and can use investment earnings. This bill specifically targets tribal community colleges to strengthen their ongoing operations through guaranteed state funding.

Maddy summaryHB 2890 requires Arizona employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers, such as modified equipment, more frequent breaks, schedule changes for prenatal visits, or assistance with manual labor, unless it causes significant difficulty for the business. Employers cannot force pregnant employees to use vacation or sick leave when accommodations are possible and must post clear notices about these requirements in employee handbooks and provide written notice to new hires, current employees, and pregnant employees within 10 days of pregnancy notification. The bill directly affects pregnant employees and their employers across Arizona, ensuring they receive specific workplace adjustments without penalty. It takes effect after the law is enacted, with written notices required within 180 days of the effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2838 updates Arizona landlord-tenant law by changing eviction court judgments and rental agreement rules. It requires courts to calculate unpaid rent as a prorated amount (not the full period) in eviction cases, removes social security numbers from judgments, and prohibits landlords from including excessive late fees ($50 max per period), clauses forcing tenants to pay landlord attorney fees, or blocking tenants from calling emergency services. The bill also clarifies that landlords must give tenants 10 days to fix lease breaches (like false application info), but material falsification of details (e.g., income, criminal history) makes eviction immediate and unfixable. These changes directly affect tenants facing eviction and landlords drafting rental agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2837 limits landlord fees and requires clear cost disclosures for renters in Arizona. It prohibits landlords from charging for background checks if tenants provide their own credit report, caps application fees at actual costs (banning separate fees for screening), and restricts landlords to one application fee per year. The bill also mandates landlords to disclose in writing at lease start: all rent amounts, mandatory fees (like trash or smart device upgrades), additional costs, property management details, and landlord contact information - both in the lease and in all promotional materials. These changes directly affect renters (by reducing hidden fees) and landlords (who must follow new disclosure rules).

Maddy summaryHB 2839 establishes a maximum annual rent increase limit for landlords in Arizona, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. It caps rent increases at the annual consumer price index (CPI) plus 3% of the current rent, but not exceeding a total 7% increase per year. The bill also clarifies procedures for landlords to handle tenant property or animals if a tenant dies or becomes incapacitated, requiring authorized persons to retrieve items within 20 days. These provisions aim to limit arbitrary rent hikes while standardizing property retrieval processes under Arizona law.