Rep. Michele Peña

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes a referendum to ban foreign governments and non-governmental sources from donating money or services to Arizona election administration or ballot measure campaigns. It requires vendors and service providers to submit sworn certifications confirming they have not accepted such foreign contributions, with annual updates and quarterly reporting to the Secretary of State. Violations of these rules could result in the invalidation of contracts, misdemeanor charges, and civil lawsuits allowing private citizens to seek damages and injunctions. The legislation explicitly excludes federally recognized sovereign tribal nations from the definition of foreign sources.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to declare drug cartels as terrorist organizations within Arizona state law. It directs the Department of Homeland Security to take all actions within its authority to address the threat posed by these groups. The legislation defines a drug cartel as an association involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit, or acts of terrorism, and defines a threat as anything harming individual rights or public safety. If approved by voters, this change would formally categorize drug cartels alongside terrorist organizations for legal and enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona laws to update the powers and duties of the state board overseeing professional registrations, such as engineers and architects, while also repealing an outdated statute. The changes clarify that the board can only take disciplinary action against a professional if the person filing the complaint has a substantial connection to the individual being accused. Additionally, the bill sets new requirements for home inspector certification, including mandatory errors and omissions insurance or a financial bond, and establishes automatic suspension or revocation of a home inspector's license if they fail to maintain this financial assurance.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill mandates that cities with over 75,000 residents must allow homeowners to build attached and detached accessory dwelling units on their property. It sets specific rules for these units, such as limiting their size to 75% of the main home's area or 1,000 square feet, and requires them to be permitted without needing special approvals. The law also restricts local governments from imposing certain conditions, such as demanding familial relationships between owners and tenants, requiring extra parking, or forcing units to match the exterior design of the primary home. Additionally, the bill preempts local control over vacation rentals by prohibiting cities from banning them entirely, though it allows for basic health, safety, and zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill requires cities with at least 75,000 residents to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in specific areas by January 1, 2026. Local governments must permit these middle housing types on all single-family lots near downtown areas and on at least 20% of new developments covering more than 10 contiguous acres. The law also prevents cities from imposing stricter rules on these housing types than those applied to single-family homes, such as requiring owner occupancy or excessive parking. Municipalities that fail to update their zoning regulations by the deadline must automatically allow middle housing on all single-family lots without limitations. Several exceptions exist for unincorporated areas, regions lacking water and sewer services, and lands near airports.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Arizona cities, towns, and counties to report large settlement agreements to state officials before they are finalized. Specifically, any settlement of $500,000 or more must be reported to the governor and legislative leaders, while agreements of $1,000,000 or more must also be reviewed by the joint legislative budget committee. If a local government fails to submit a proposed settlement of $1,000,000 or more for this review, the agreement cannot become legally binding. The law defines these settlements as legally binding documents resolving lawsuits but excludes personal injury claims and certain construction disputes. Additionally, the bill declares that such contracts are a matter of statewide concern due to their impact on public finances.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill amends state laws regarding sexual offenses involving minors by clarifying legal defenses and establishing a new crime called child enticement. It adds specific defenses for medical procedures, emergency care situations, and consensual relationships between teenagers close in age, while also creating a new felony charge for luring minors to distribute images of genitalia or female breasts. The new enticement offense is classified as a class 5 felony, but it becomes a class 4 felony if the accused holds a position of trust over the minor. Additionally, the bill explicitly states that distributing images with serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value for minors is not prohibited under these new rules.