Rep. Elda Luna-Nájera

Maddy summaryHB 2821, titled the "Pregnant Workers Protection Act," requires Arizona employers with 15 or more employees to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers without imposing undue hardship. It mandates specific accommodations like modified equipment, more frequent breaks, schedule changes, assistance with manual labor, private breastfeeding areas, and flexibility for prenatal appointments. Employers cannot force pregnant employees to use vacation or sick leave when accommodations are possible and must post notices about the policy in employee handbooks and provide written notice to new hires, current employees, and pregnant employees within 10 days of pregnancy disclosure. The bill directly affects pregnant employees and their employers in qualifying businesses.

Maddy summaryHB 2823 prohibits Arizona's Department of Corrections from renewing or creating new contracts with private prison operators that include a "minimum occupancy clause." This means the state cannot require private prisons to maintain a specific occupancy rate, and will only pay for the actual number of inmates physically housed at the facility. The bill directly affects the state department and private prison operators by changing how contracts are structured and paid. It applies to all new contracts or renewals after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summaryHB 2668 allocates $5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to fund broadband infrastructure projects. The bill directs the state treasurer to distribute these funds as grants to cities and towns with populations under 100,000. This provides direct financial support for local governments to expand high-speed internet access in smaller communities. The bill is currently in early legislative stages, having passed its first two House readings.

Maddy summaryHCR 2034 is a proposed resolution (requiring voter approval) that would replace Arizona's current rules for English language learners (ELLs) in public schools. It mandates schools to identify students' primary languages, assess their English proficiency, and enroll non-proficient students in structured English immersion programs requiring 120 minutes daily for K-5 and 100 minutes daily for grades 6-12. The bill also creates a budget framework for schools to cover additional costs of these programs using state funds, while requiring the state board to approve research-based instructional models. This directly affects all Arizona public schools and English language learners.

Maddy summaryHB 2672 requires Arizona school districts to hold a voter-approved election (an "override") if their proposed budget exceeds the state's budget limit, and mandates detailed public disclosure about the financial impact of the increase. The bill requires districts to prepare an alternate budget without the excess increase and distribute an informational pamphlet at least 35 days before the election, including the current and proposed budgets, funding sources (tax vs. non-tax), and estimated tax effects for different property types (e.g., owner-occupied homes at various valuations). The pamphlet must also include up to 10 verified written arguments for and against the increase, submitted with signed, sworn statements, while the county superintendent reviews factual accuracy but not opinions. This directly affects school districts seeking budget increases and residents who vote on these proposals.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 sets standards for Arizona online schools and course providers, focusing on curriculum quality, student safety, and teacher qualifications - not full-day kindergarten as the title suggests. It requires online schools to meet specific criteria (like filtered internet access, virtual learning tools, and partnerships with educational institutions) and mandates probationary status for new programs until academic improvements are proven. The bill also establishes rules for calculating average daily membership (ADM) and funding: full-time online students receive 95% of standard funding, while part-time students receive 85%, with strict limits on how attendance hours can be counted across traditional and online programs. These provisions directly affect Arizona public schools, charter schools, and online education providers participating in the state’s virtual learning programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2637 updates Arizona's method for calculating annual spending limits for cities, counties, and other local governments (not school districts, as the title suggests). It requires the state commission to determine each jurisdiction's expenditure limit using a formula based on population changes since 1979 and inflation adjustments (GDP price deflator), with annual reports to local governing boards. The bill includes specific rules for adjusting limits when jurisdictions annex new areas, split, or form new cities or counties. This directly affects all Arizona political subdivisions subject to the state's constitutional spending cap, ensuring their annual budgets reflect population growth and inflation. The changes apply to how these limits are calculated and reported each year.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 creates the Arizona School Mental Health Professionals Academy to address staffing shortages in public schools. It provides graduate students pursuing school psychology, social work, or counseling degrees with scholarships covering tuition and fees (up to three years) at eligible Arizona institutions, in exchange for a one-year service commitment in public schools after graduation. The program prioritizes critical need areas like rural schools, Indian reservation schools, and schools serving students with disabilities. The Arizona Board of Regents manages a dedicated fund for administering the academy, tracking participants, and ensuring graduates fulfill their service obligations in public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2714 amends Arizona's tax deed sale process to prioritize affordable housing development. It allows counties to sell property held by the state due to unpaid taxes directly to cities, counties, or housing authorities for low-income housing without requiring a public auction, provided a recorded agreement ensures affordability for at least 30 years. The bill also includes streamlined sales to contiguous property owners (for commercial, agricultural, or residential use) and homeowners' associations for common areas. These changes aim to facilitate affordable housing projects by removing auction barriers for eligible properties while maintaining standard procedures for other sales.

Maddy summaryHB 2523 regulates strip searches and pat searches (frisks) of prisoners in Arizona state prisons. It requires that all such searches be conducted by a correctional officer of the same gender as the prisoner, except in emergencies where opposite-gender searches are allowed only with strict documentation. The bill mandates detailed logs including officer names, badge numbers, prisoner ID, and the reason for cross-gender searches, plus presence of a witness when possible. It also prohibits touching body parts during strip searches except for head inspections. This directly affects prisoners and correctional officers in Arizona Department of Corrections facilities.