Rep. Mariana Sandoval

Maddy summarySB 1171 amends Arizona law to clarify the Arizona Department of Housing's role in allocating federal low-income housing tax credits. It requires the department to obtain written consent from local governments before approving multifamily rental projects in their areas and mandates annual reports to state officials on housing assistance activities. The bill also establishes that processing fees for applications will be deposited into a dedicated housing fund. This legislation directly affects housing developers seeking tax credits, local governments reviewing projects, and the state agency managing the program.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $25 million from Arizona's state general fund for the Housing Trust Fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to support affordable housing. It directly affects landlords who receive payments from this fund for rent owed by tenants, prohibiting them from filing, finalizing, or enforcing legal actions against those tenants for the unpaid rent. The key provision ensures that when the state fund covers rent payments to landlords, tenants cannot face eviction or legal penalties for that specific debt. This creates a direct financial protection for tenants with rent arrears who qualify for assistance through the Housing Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 clarifies that candidate committees in Arizona may legally use campaign funds to cover direct caregiving expenses for a candidate’s child or other dependent they personally care for, such as childcare costs. This specifically affects candidates with caregiving responsibilities who use committee funds for these essential needs. The bill amends Arizona’s campaign finance law (ARS § 16-921) to explicitly list caregiver expenses as an exempt expenditure, aligning with existing rules. The legislature states this is a clarifying change, not a substantive policy shift. It does not expand exemptions beyond this specific provision.

Maddy summaryHB 2356 regulates contracts for private companies to operate Arizona's adult correctional facilities. It requires private contractors to demonstrate experience, offer cost savings compared to state-operated facilities, and provide services meeting or exceeding state quality standards across 10 specific areas (like security, health services, and inmate programs). The bill mandates biennial service comparisons and five-year cost reviews to ensure private contracts deliver equivalent or better value, and allows the state to cancel contracts after the first year with 90 days' notice. It also prohibits contractors from handling inmate release decisions or disciplinary actions and removes sovereign immunity for contractors in legal disputes.

Maddy summaryHB 2355 sets an end date for Arizona's Board of Massage Therapy, terminating the board on July 1, 2035. The bill also specifies that related laws (Title 32, Chapter 42 and this section) will be repealed on January 1, 2036. This directly affects licensed massage therapists and the board itself, as it ends the board's authority to regulate the profession after 2035. The legislation is procedural, not creating new rules, but formally ending the board's existence with a clear sunset date. The bill applies retroactively from July 1, 2025, for administrative purposes.

Maddy summarySB 1189 adds a 10% annual interest rate to unpaid criminal restitution orders in Arizona, affecting victims of crimes who are owed payments and defendants ordered to pay restitution. The bill specifies that interest accrues on unpaid balances for both juvenile and adult cases, with the state collecting interest at 4% when enforcing restitution on behalf of victims. Restitution orders, once issued, are enforced as civil judgments without renewal requirements and expire only when fully paid. This change clarifies enforcement mechanisms for court-ordered payments to victims, ensuring consistent interest collection on outstanding amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 2351 modifies Arizona health boards' public website disclosures for professional complaints and disciplinary actions. It prohibits dismissed complaints and nondisciplinary actions (like letters of concern) from appearing on public websites, while requiring disciplinary records to remain online for up to five years. The bill mandates that health boards display a notice on their websites directing the public to request additional records - such as dismissed complaints or nondisciplinary actions - directly from the board, in compliance with public records laws.

Maddy summarySB 1192 establishes automatic voter registration for Arizona residents applying for or renewing driver’s licenses or nonoperating ID cards at the Department of Transportation, with an opt-out option within 21 days. It also allows same-day voter registration during the 28 days before an election or on election day at polling places, requiring proof of residence and using provisional ballots for that election. The bill mandates that registration information be sent to county recorders within 5 days, and specifies that new registrations qualify for federal, statewide, county, and legislative races but not partisan primaries for 29 days after registration. It updates Arizona Revised Statutes sections 16-106 (voter registration timing) and 16-112 (driver license registration procedures), effective December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1195 updates Arizona's ballot handling and return procedures to clarify who may collect or deliver ballots and ensure valid submission. It requires election officials to provide clear instructions stating that only voters, family members, household members, or caregivers may handle or return ballots (prohibiting third-party collection). The bill revises mail ballot envelopes to include signature requirements and specifies that ballots must be returned to county offices or polling places by 7:00 p.m. election day (with updated options for 2026). It also reinforces felony penalties for violations, including offering payment for ballots or misrepresenting ballot collection services.

Maddy summaryHB 2283 limits price increases for essential goods and services during declared emergencies in Arizona. It prohibits businesses from raising prices more than 10% above pre-emergency levels for building materials, food, emergency supplies, gasoline, medical items, repair services, hotel rooms, or transportation services during a state/local emergency and for 30 days after. Sellers may justify higher prices if directly tied to increased costs from suppliers or labor, but must provide proof. Violations carry civil penalties up to $10,000 per incident and allow affected consumers to seek triple damages plus legal fees.