Rep. Quantá Crews

Maddy summaryHB 2903 establishes Arizona's Retirement Savings Program, creating a new state board to administer a payroll deduction savings option for private-sector workers who lack employer-sponsored retirement plans. The program allows eligible employees (ages 18+ working for covered employers not in government or existing retirement plans) to contribute to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) through automatic payroll deductions. The Arizona Retirement Savings Board will develop investment policies, select a program administrator, and manage funds to offer low-cost investment options focused on income replacement. This directly affects private employers and employees in Arizona who currently don't have access to tax-advantaged retirement savings through their workplace.

Maddy summaryHB 2839 establishes a maximum annual rent increase limit for landlords in Arizona, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. It caps rent increases at the annual consumer price index (CPI) plus 3% of the current rent, but not exceeding a total 7% increase per year. The bill also clarifies procedures for landlords to handle tenant property or animals if a tenant dies or becomes incapacitated, requiring authorized persons to retrieve items within 20 days. These provisions aim to limit arbitrary rent hikes while standardizing property retrieval processes under Arizona law.

Maddy summaryHB 2802 bans retail stores from providing free single-use checkout bags to customers. Instead, stores must charge at least $0.05 per bag for reusable fabric, recycled paper, or reusable plastic bags (defined as durable, multi-use bags). Stores must report total fees collected and bag types distributed to the Department of Environmental Quality, and face civil penalties of up to $250 per day for violations. The law exempts certain bags (like those for bulk items, frozen food, or WIC/EBT customers) and requires a state impact report by 2032. It takes effect in 2029 and expires in 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 2835 requires mandatory settlement conferences for certain eviction cases in Arizona before a trial can proceed. It applies to landlords seeking eviction for unpaid rent (under ARS 33-1368(B)) or material lease violations (under ARS 33-1368(A)), mandating that both parties attend a court meeting five days after the eviction notice is served. At the conference, they must bring lease agreements, payment records, and other relevant documents; failure to attend results in dismissal (landlord) or default judgment (tenant). If unresolved, the case moves to an eviction hearing five business days after the conference, streamlining the process while requiring courts to track and report settlement outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2912, the "Wage Antidiscrimination Act," prohibits Arizona employers from asking about a job applicant’s past salary or using salary history to screen candidates before making a job offer. It also protects employees who discuss wages or raise concerns about pay discrimination from retaliation. Employers violating the law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and may be sued for damages, including lost wages and attorney fees. The bill strengthens existing equal pay laws by banning employers from using prior salary as a defense in discrimination cases and requires employers to include wage rights in employee handbooks.

Maddy summaryHB 2848 requires corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or their affiliates purchasing single-family homes in Arizona to register with the Corporation Commission before buying. County recorders cannot record deeds unless the buyer provides proof of registration and the deed states the property is not the owner’s primary residence. The bill limits corporate buyers to owning no more than 5% of a county’s single-family homes (or 100 units annually in counties with over 400,000 residents), with exceptions for entities owning fewer than ten homes statewide. These rules apply to commercial investors buying homes, aiming to limit large-scale corporate ownership in residential neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryArizona's HCR 2054 formally ratifies the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a constitutional proposal originally adopted by Congress in 1972. The bill directs Arizona's Secretary of State to transmit the state's approval to federal officials, supporting the ERA's goal of guaranteeing equality under the law regardless of sex. This resolution does not create new state laws but affirms Arizona's position in the process of achieving the required ratifications for the ERA to become part of the U.S. Constitution. The measure directly affects Arizona's role in the federal constitutional amendment process, not Arizona residents' rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2812 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows individuals who attended Arizona high school (public, private, or homeschool) for at least two years and graduated in-state - regardless of immigration status - to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona universities or community colleges. The bill specifically clarifies that people without lawful immigration status meet the residency requirements under this provision. It does not change requirements for nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., students on F-1 visas). The amendment requires a three-fourths legislative vote for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2836 establishes new rights for sexual assault survivors in Arizona, directly affecting survivors, medical providers, law enforcement, and victim advocacy programs. The bill creates confidentiality for communications between survivors and trained victim advocates (requiring 30 hours of specific training), prohibits charging survivors for medical exams, and guarantees survivors the right to consult an advocate during medical exams and police interviews. It also mandates that medical facilities inform survivors of their rights before exams, ensures survivors can request gender-specific interviewers, and prohibits using sexual assault kits to prosecute survivors for unrelated minor offenses. The law aims to protect survivors' privacy and autonomy throughout medical and legal processes.

Maddy summaryHCR 2052 proposes a constitutional amendment to repeal a provision requiring Arizona school districts and community college districts to follow annual spending limits. Currently, these limits are calculated by the Economic Estimates Commission based on 1979-1980 spending levels adjusted for student population and cost of living. The repeal would eliminate this requirement, removing the need for annual calculations and the spending cap for districts. This change would require voter approval and a governor's proclamation to take effect.