Rep. Lydia Hernandez

Maddy summaryHB 2495 amends Arizona law to establish standards for online schools and instruction. It requires new online schools to operate under probationary status for three years, demonstrating improved student academic performance before becoming permanent. The bill mandates daily time tracking for online students, sets specific curriculum and safety standards for online programs, and adjusts funding to 95% of base support for full-time online students (compared to traditional schools). These provisions directly affect Arizona online schools, their students, and school districts managing online enrollment. The bill does not relate to full-day kindergarten as the title suggests.

Maddy summaryHB 2685 creates a $350 state earned income tax credit for Arizona residents who qualify for the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It directly affects low-income individuals and families by providing a refundable tax credit that can be claimed on state income tax returns, with one credit allowed per household annually. The bill requires claimants to file the credit with their tax return (except for those with no tax liability who meet specific filing exceptions) and allows excess credit amounts to be paid as refunds. This credit applies retroactively to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.

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Maddy summaryHB 2444 repeals a specific outdated provision (Section 9-461.16) from Arizona's zoning code while amending Section 9-462.01 to clarify existing zoning regulations.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 2621 requires most private firearm sales or transfers between non-dealers to go through a licensed firearms dealer for a background check, with the buyer paying up to $20 for the service. It mandates in-person verification at the dealer’s location and prohibits transfers if background checks reveal legal prohibitions. The law excludes law enforcement, gunsmith repairs, antique firearms (pre-1898), immediate family gifts, and certain temporary transfers. Violating the bill carries a class 5 felony penalty. This directly affects private sellers and buyers who aren’t licensed dealers.

Maddy summaryHB 2383 allocates $8 million from Arizona’s state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support applied research centers specializing in specific technology fields. It directs $3 million for medical technology centers, $2 million for clean energy/water sustainability tech, $2 million for semiconductors, and $1 million for other beneficial technologies, with centers required to match funds from non-state sources. Centers must collaborate with universities and businesses, report annual expenditures to the legislature, and use funds for workforce training in relevant fields. The funding is exempt from standard budget lapsing rules but requires unspent funds to revert to the state by June 2027.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes to update definitions related to driver license records and clarify restrictions on issuing licenses to certain individuals. It directly affects the Arizona Department of Transportation, applicants for driver licenses, and individuals with specific criminal or medical histories. The bill clarifies what constitutes personal information and vehicle history reports, while maintaining existing prohibitions on issuing licenses to minors, those with certain criminal convictions, and individuals whose licenses have been suspended or revoked. The changes also specify requirements for English language proficiency and financial responsibility proof for license applicants.

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 2494 establishes an advisory task force to study employee misclassification and payroll tax fraud specifically in Arizona's construction industry. The task force, composed of agency directors (industrial commission, insurance, contractor registrar) and advisory members, will examine issues like revenue losses, enforcement effectiveness, and public awareness. It must submit annual reports to legislative committees by February 1, starting in 2027, detailing findings on misclassification frequency, economic impacts, and potential policy improvements. The bill does not change existing laws but creates a process to evaluate whether new regulations or enforcement strategies are needed.

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.