Rep. Lisa Fink

Maddy summaryHB 2164 prohibits Arizona public schools from serving or selling ultraprocessed foods during the school day, directly affecting school meal programs and cafeteria operations. The law defines "ultraprocessed food" as any item containing specific synthetic additives like certain dyes (e.g., Yellow #5, Red #40) or preservatives (e.g., potassium bromate), excluding foods parents provide to their own children. The Arizona Department of Education may create implementing rules but is not required to mandate specific alternatives. Signed into law on April 14, 2025, this policy aims to improve school meal nutrition by limiting low-nutrient processed foods.

Maddy summaryHB 2855 declares that drug cartels operating in Arizona are terrorist organizations under state law. It defines "drug cartel" to include groups involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism, and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to address the threat they pose. The bill explicitly states this definition does not affect individuals' claims for asylum under federal law. This legislation aims to empower state agencies to combat border-related criminal activity, based on voter-approved findings about public safety concerns linked to transnational cartels.

Maddy summaryHB 2296 amends Arizona law to remove a presumption that shared parenting time is automatically in a child's best interest. The bill requires courts to evaluate all relevant factors under Arizona Revised Statutes §25-403 without assuming shared parenting is preferable, focusing instead on individual circumstances like parental cooperation and child adjustment. It mandates courts to adopt parenting plans that "maximize" both parents' time when appropriate, while explicitly prohibiting gender-based preferences in custody decisions. This change directly affects family courts and parents involved in custody disputes across Arizona. The law emphasizes case-specific evaluations over standardized assumptions about parenting arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2725 requires Arizona public schools to display U.S. flags (made in the U.S.) and provide Constitution/Bill of Rights copies (also U.S.-made) in classrooms for grades 7-12, and to set aside time daily for students to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Schools must notify parents if a student skips the Pledge during this designated time. The bill also mandates a 1-2 minute daily moment of silence at the start of each school day for all grades (K-12), with teachers encouraged to discuss its use with parents but not suggesting specific reflections. Private schools, parochial schools, and homeschools are exempt from these requirements.

Maddy summaryArizona's HB 2681 establishes requirements for physicians prescribing medication abortions. It mandates in-person examinations, pregnancy verification, Rh blood testing, and disclosure of physical/psychological side effects (including bleeding and seeing pregnancy tissue) before providing abortion-inducing drugs. Physicians must also schedule a 7-14 day follow-up visit to confirm the abortion is complete, document efforts to ensure the visit occurs, and provide the patient with the contact information of an associated physician for complications. The bill prohibits mailing or delivering abortion drugs via courier and creates civil liability for violations, allowing patients to seek $5,000 statutory damages plus medical costs and attorney fees. It explicitly states this law does not create a right to abortion or make unlawful abortions legal.

Maddy summaryHCR 2042 proposes amending Arizona's constitution to prohibit state governments from granting preferential treatment or discrimination based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in public employment, education, or contracting. It specifically bans requiring individuals to endorse race-based policies, discuss personal race/ethnicity, or participate in training promoting "diversity, equity and inclusion" beyond equal protection under federal law. The amendment would restrict public funding for offices promoting race-based policies and prohibit differential treatment in hiring, admissions, or contracting decisions. If approved by voters, it would take effect on December 14, 2010, applying only to state actions after that date.

Maddy summaryHCR 2015 proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Arizona's legislature to approve all state spending of federal funds. It would mandate legislative authorization for using federal money and establish a joint committee to handle such approvals when the legislature is not in session. This amendment directly affects how Arizona manages federal grants and funding, requiring legislative oversight before spending. The proposal must be approved by voters at the next general election to take effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits Arizona government entities and election vendors from using money or services from foreign governments or non-citizens for election administration. It also bans foreign entities from funding efforts to influence ballot measure outcomes. Vendors must provide annual written statements confirming they don’t receive foreign funds, with penalties for false statements (up to three times the contract value). The law explicitly excludes federally recognized tribal nations from the definition of "foreign government."

Maddy summaryHB 2739 requires manufacturers, packagers, or retailers of food products made from cultivated cells (like lab-grown meat) to label the product packaging with "This food product is derived from cultivated cells." The bill directly affects food companies producing such products sold in Arizona. Its key provision mandates this specific labeling language on all packaging, ensuring consumers can identify these products. The law does not restrict the sale of cultivated cell products but requires clear disclosure of their origin.

Maddy summaryHB 2254 modifies Arizona's domestic relations laws to improve temporary custody and parenting time orders. It requires courts to reevaluate such orders every six months and mandates a 60-day timeline for hearings on temporary orders, unless parties waive this or extraordinary circumstances exist. The bill also sets a minimum 120-minute hearing time for temporary order cases and requires courts to make specific written findings about factors affecting a child's best interests. This directly affects parents and children involved in custody disputes during divorce or separation proceedings.