Rep. Lisa Fink

Maddy summaryHB 2974 is a definitional amendment to Arizona law, not a new prohibition on biologic weapons. It defines key terms for existing terrorism and animal facility protection statutes, including "biological agent" (microorganisms or toxins that cause harm to humans, animals, or the environment) and "animal or ecological terrorism" (felony acts targeting animal facilities with property damage over $10,000 or injury to personnel). The bill clarifies legal standards for prosecuting crimes involving biological agents or attacks on animal facilities, such as farms, zoos, or research labs. It directly affects law enforcement and prosecutors handling terrorism cases involving biological threats or animal facilities, but does not create new criminal penalties.

Maddy summaryHCM 2013 is a memorial (not a bill) from Arizona's legislature urging the U.S. Congress and Treasury to take specific actions regarding gold-backed financial instruments and taxation. It proposes creating Treasury Trust Bonds redeemable in dollars or gold, eliminating federal capital gains tax on gold/silver transactions used as legal tender, and restoring constitutional monetary standards. The memorial argues these steps would strengthen fiscal credibility, reduce inflation risks for households, and align with constitutional provisions requiring gold/silver as legal tender for debts. It does not create new law but requests federal action, citing Arizona's support for similar state-level tax changes. The memorial is currently in Arizona's legislative process (House readings completed) but has no federal effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2554 amends Arizona's budget process by requiring the governor to submit a two-year budget plan (biennial budget) with separate annual breakdowns, instead of a single-year plan. It mandates that state agencies submit detailed financial estimates by September 1 each even-numbered year, including costs from local minimum wage increases exceeding state levels. The bill also establishes a continuous budget planning process, requires a February 15 appropriations estimate report, and specifies detailed contents for the governor's budget report (like balance sheets, income/expenditure schedules, and performance measures). This procedural bill affects the governor's office, state agencies, and the legislature by standardizing budget submission and reporting requirements for the next two fiscal years.

Maddy summaryHB 2969 amends Arizona's family law statutes to require courts to include specific safety planning procedures for behavioral health crises in parenting plans. It directly affects parents and judges in custody cases by mandating that parenting plans (Section 25-403.02) include "a procedure for notice and safety planning in the event of a behavioral health crisis" and temporary orders under Section 25-403.11. The key provision requires courts to integrate crisis safety protocols - such as temporary orders or expedited hearings - into custody arrangements when a parent experiences a behavioral health crisis, ensuring children's safety during such events. This bill does not create new crisis services but mandates that existing legal processes address behavioral health emergencies within custody orders. The bill is currently pending (House First Reading on 2026-02-05) and would apply to all Arizona family court cases involving parenting plans.

Maddy summaryHB 2920 requires app stores operating in Arizona to verify the age of users creating accounts and link accounts of minors (under 18, excluding married/emancipated individuals) to verified parent accounts. App stores must obtain parental permission before minors can download apps, make purchases, or access in-app purchases, and re-verify consent after significant app changes like new ads or in-app purchases. The bill mandates that app stores provide clear disclosures about age ratings, data collection, and privacy practices to parents before granting permission. It directly affects app store providers, minors under 18, and their parents within Arizona, with exemptions for preinstalled apps and core device functions.

Maddy summaryHB 2555 requires Arizona retail businesses with physical locations to accept cash for transactions of $100 or less without charging fees or penalties. It directly affects in-person retail stores (excluding online sales) by mandating cash acceptance and creating a legal remedy: customers denied cash payments or charged fees can sue for $1,000 per violation (capped at $5,000 per person), plus attorney fees. The law exempts businesses with pre-agreed written payment terms and online transactions. Damages adjust annually for inflation, but the bill does not apply to digital services or agreements specifying payment methods.

Maddy summaryHCR 2027 would change Arizona's rules for determining in-state tuition eligibility at public universities and community colleges. To qualify as an in-state student for tuition purposes starting July 1, 2027, students must have completed at least two years of K-12 education in Arizona (in public, private, or homeschool settings, or via an Arizona scholarship program), graduated from an Arizona high school or earned an Arizona high school equivalency diploma, and be a U.S. citizen, legal resident, or hold lawful immigration status. Community colleges would be required to deny in-state tuition rates to students who do not meet these new criteria. The bill is a voter-approved measure, currently awaiting approval in the next general election.

Maddy summaryHB 2664 modifies Arizona's temporary custody and parenting time procedures in family court. It requires courts to reevaluate temporary orders every six months and mandates a hearing within 60 days for new requests, unless parties waive or exceptional circumstances exist. The bill also specifies that courts must make detailed written findings about why a temporary order serves a child's best interests, based on factors in Arizona law. This directly affects parents and children involved in divorce, separation, or custody disputes during ongoing legal proceedings. The changes aim to ensure timely reviews and clear court reasoning for temporary parenting arrangements.

Maddy summaryHB 2810 prohibits public schools in Arizona from allowing abortion clinics or related entities to provide health education instruction, programs, or materials to students or staff. It specifically bans involvement by abortion providers (including clinics, their controlling entities, or franchised partners) in school health education. Schools failing to comply face potential withholding of state education funding after a 90-day correction period. The law directly affects public schools and their health education programs by restricting partnerships with abortion-related organizations.

Maddy summaryHB 2840 requires Arizona public schools and charter schools to provide annual nutrition education for all students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This includes teaching practical healthy eating habits, scientific evidence on diet/exercise, disease prevention, and meal planning skills, with a focus on nutrient-dense foods and the impacts of ultraprocessed foods. The bill also mandates 30 minutes of daily physical activity for all students, allowing options like physical education classes, scheduled breaks, or active classroom time, while permitting medical exemptions. These requirements directly affect all Arizona K-12 schools and their students, aiming to integrate health education into daily school routines.