Rep. Nick Kupper

Maddy summaryHB 2198 increases reimbursement rates for emergency hospital care provided by rural hospitals under Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS). Starting in fiscal year 2025-2026, rural hospitals will receive 30% higher fee-for-service payments compared to 2024-2025 rates. A "rural hospital" is defined as one located in a county with a population under one million. This change directly affects eligible rural hospitals by boosting their Medicaid payments for emergency services.

Maddy summaryHB 2707 prohibits health professionals and health care institutions in Arizona from denying care or providing substandard care based on a patient's vaccination status. The bill makes it unprofessional conduct for health professionals to discriminate in this way and bans health care institutions from adopting policies allowing such discrimination. It directly affects hospitals, clinics, and medical providers by requiring them to treat all patients equally regardless of vaccination status. The law changes existing professional standards to explicitly forbid this form of discrimination in healthcare settings.

Maddy summarySB 1055 amends Arizona law to allow municipalities, contractors, or political subdivisions to use volunteer retired police officers to maintain a visible police presence at construction sites on roads, streets, or highways. The bill adds this provision to existing requirements for warning signs and barriers during roadwork. It directly affects local governments, construction companies, and retired police officers who might volunteer for this role. The bill was introduced in the Senate but failed on January 29, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2095 amends Arizona law governing how homeowners' associations (HOAs) can change their governing documents (declarations). It requires a 67% vote of all unit owners' voting power to amend declarations (instead of the previous 75% threshold), unless the declaration specifies a lower percentage for nonresidential properties. The bill also clarifies recording requirements, prohibits amendments that alter unit boundaries or uses without unanimous consent, and adds rules for design review committees and security deposits during construction. These changes directly affect HOA members and associations by modifying voting procedures for declaration amendments.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires Arizona law enforcement agencies to verify if arrestees are veterans within 24 hours of booking. Agencies must confirm veteran status using the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans Re-entry search service, document it in records, and assist veterans in applying for federal benefits they may qualify for through the VA. It directly affects veterans booked into custody and law enforcement agencies handling their cases. The policy change ensures veterans in custody can connect with existing federal support programs without altering VA benefit eligibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2421 reduces Arizona's corporate income tax rate from 4.9% to 2% for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025. It directly affects corporations operating in Arizona that pay state corporate income tax (excluding those exempt under specific statutes). The bill replaces the current 4.9% rate, which has applied since 2016, with a lower 2% rate for all future taxable income. The bill is currently in the Arizona House for further consideration.

Maddy summaryHB 2409 defines "aggressive driving" as committing multiple speeding violations (exceeding speed limits by 20+ mph in most areas or 35 mph near schools) plus two other dangerous driving acts (like unsafe lane changes or tailgating) during a single driving period. It classifies this as a class 1 misdemeanor, requiring offenders to complete approved traffic education and facing license suspensions (30 days for first offense, 1 year for repeat offenses within 24 months). The bill also specifies exact speed limits: 35 mph near schools, 20 mph over posted limits in business/residential areas (or 45 mph if no limit), and 20 mph over elsewhere. This directly affects drivers who repeatedly exceed speed limits in these ways, with penalties focused on education and license restrictions rather than solely fines.

Maddy summaryHB 2423 prohibits Arizona county boards of supervisors, county recorders, city or town governments, and other election officials from requiring election workers (permanent or temporary) to sign non-disclosure agreements about elections or waive their right to speak publicly about election administration events. The bill directly affects election workers by preventing officials from forcing them to keep silent regarding election processes. It establishes a clear rule that election administration activities cannot be subject to mandatory confidentiality agreements. This is a procedural change to election administration rules, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summaryHB 2102 establishes a dedicated anti-racketeering revolving fund in Arizona to manage money recovered from racketeering prosecutions. It requires all recovered funds - such as attorney fees from civil/criminal cases under AZ statutes 13-2301 or 13-2312, forfeiture proceeds, or federal/state cooperative investigation funds - to be deposited into this fund, prohibiting transfers to the general state fund. The fund may finance gang/victim prevention programs, racketeering investigations, officer relocation costs, and administrative reporting, but bans using it for Attorney General’s office salaries after August 2025. All agencies receiving fund monies must submit quarterly reports on sources and expenditures to the Attorney General and Arizona Criminal Justice Commission, with strict deadlines and penalties for noncompliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2520 amends Arizona's duress defense law to limit when a defendant can claim they committed a crime due to threats of immediate physical force. Specifically, the defense cannot be used if the defendant intentionally created the situation where they faced duress, or for offenses involving homicide, serious physical injury, or certain violent crimes like aggravated assault or sexual offenses. This change directly affects criminal defendants in cases where they attempt to justify their actions using duress as a legal defense. The bill clarifies that the duress defense is unavailable for the most serious violent offenses, making it harder for defendants to avoid responsibility for those acts.