Rep. Pamela Carter

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 2171 creates a $5 million scholarship fund for spouses and dependents (under age 27) of Arizona law enforcement officers. The fund covers tuition and mandatory fees at eligible Arizona public colleges, career technical schools, or participating private institutions, after subtracting other financial aid. Scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis with funds limited to the annual appropriation, and must be used within four academic years. The Arizona Board of Regents administers the program and reports annually on recipients and participating law enforcement agencies, with the fund set to expire in 2035.

Maddy summaryHB 2224 prohibits intentionally feeding wildlife in Arizona counties with over 280,000 residents, except for hunters, wildlife management staff, farmers, or feeding squirrels/birds. In cities with over 100,000 people, violations carry a $1,000 fine instead of a minor penalty. The law targets human feeding that disrupts wildlife behavior or creates safety risks. It directly affects residents, businesses, and visitors in large urban counties and cities.

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.

Maddy summaryThis bill adds specific protections for peace officers who intercept, disable, or destroy unmanned aircraft (drones) within 30 miles of Arizona's international border. It expands qualified immunity under Arizona law, shielding public employees and contractors from lawsuits for injuries caused during such drone operations unless the officer acted with gross negligence or intent to cause harm. The law explicitly states that drone operators cannot hold officers liable for injuries resulting from these border-related drone interventions. This directly affects drone operators who may no longer pursue legal claims against law enforcement for such incidents near the border.

Maddy summaryHB 2548 requires voter approval via a public election before designating new groundwater basins as "subsequent active management areas" in Arizona. It mandates that the director cannot designate such areas without a majority vote in an election held under state election laws, directly affecting residents and landowners in groundwater basins. Key provisions include public hearings, petitions from 10% of registered voters, and county recorders managing voter verification for basin residency. The bill also clarifies that new areas must cover entire basins (not partial portions) and requires publication of findings and maps. This changes prior procedures by adding a mandatory voter approval step for expanding groundwater management zones.

Maddy summaryHB 2373 sets new qualifications for Arizona county attorneys, directly affecting all current and future holders of this position. The bill requires county attorneys to be licensed attorneys in good standing who have practiced law in Arizona for at least five years prior to taking office. It also prohibits county boards of supervisors from paying salary to anyone ineligible under these new standards. Current county attorneys serving on the bill's effective date may continue until their current term expires. The bill amends existing law to strengthen eligibility requirements for this elected county office.

Maddy summaryHB 2053 creates a tax credit for Arizona private landowners who allow the federal government to use their land for international boundary wall construction. Landowners can claim a credit equal to the fair market value of the specific land portion used, as determined by an appraisal. Co-owners may claim pro-rata shares, and unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years. This bill directly affects private landowners near the U.S.-Mexico border whose property is utilized for border wall projects.