Rep. Pamela Carter

Maddy summaryHB 2316 allows Arizona middle schools (grades 6-8) to offer career technical education (CTE) courses that count toward both 8th-grade promotion and high school graduation. Schools must partner with approved CTE providers like community colleges or state-approved programs, and students must pass courses to earn credit. The bill requires schools to report course offerings and completions annually, with a final report due by 2029, and expires in 2037. It permits CTE districts to fund middle school CTE courses without raising property taxes but prohibits counting middle school students in district enrollment totals.

Maddy summaryHB 2365 establishes clear procedures for handling newborns left at designated safe haven locations (such as hospitals, churches, or fire stations). It requires immediate hospital examinations, directs private adoption agencies to take custody within 24 hours if able, and mandates the state department to contact the next agency on a rotating list if needed - ensuring custody is secured within 48 hours. The bill directly affects newborns left at safe havens, adoption agencies, hospitals, and the Department of Child Safety. It also requires agencies to cover medical costs if the infant is ineligible for state health programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2374 requires Arizona zoning commissioners to disclose any "substantial interest" they or their relatives have in land under consideration by the commission, and to recuse themselves from voting on that matter. It directly affects local zoning commissioners who may have personal financial ties to properties under review. The bill defines "substantial interest" as per existing law (ARS § 38-502) and mandates that commissioners formally record such disclosures in official records. This rule aims to prevent conflicts of interest in zoning decisions without altering the commission's substantive authority. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House first/second reading as of 2026).

Maddy summaryHB 2336 prohibits health insurers in Arizona from requiring vaccines as a condition for coverage. Starting January 1, 2027, health insurers - including disability insurers, health care organizations, and hospital service corporations - cannot include vaccine mandates in policies issued, delivered, or renewed. This directly affects policyholders who would no longer face coverage restrictions tied to vaccination status. The law defines "health insurer" broadly to cover multiple types of health coverage providers.

Maddy summaryHB 2277 amends Arizona's condominium association laws by clarifying key financial terms in the declaration documents. It defines terms like "common expense lien" (covering unpaid assessments, late fees, and legal costs), "assessment" (periodic payments for shared expenses), and "common expense liability" (how costs are allocated to units). These changes directly affect homeowners' associations (HOAs) and condominium associations by standardizing how financial responsibilities and liens are documented in their governing documents. The bill does not create new financial obligations but ensures consistent terminology for transparency in HOA fiscal operations. (This is a procedural definitional amendment, not a policy change.)

Maddy summaryHCR 2055 is a voter referendum (not enacted law) proposing that Arizona declare drug cartels "terrorist organizations" under state law and direct the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to address this threat. It defines "drug cartel" as groups engaging in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism, and states that this declaration does not affect asylum claims under federal law. The resolution cites voter-approved Proposition 314 and findings about border security concerns, including fentanyl trafficking and border crossings by individuals on terrorist watchlists. This measure failed to pass in the June 27, 2025, vote and did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2377 is a technical correction bill that clarifies Arizona's water management authority. It amends Section 45-103 of the Arizona Revised Statutes to explicitly state that the Arizona Department of Water Resources, through its director, now assumes the responsibilities of the Arizona Water Commission and State Water Engineer for overseeing surface water, groundwater, dams, and reservoirs. The bill specifies that the director has general control over water appropriation and distribution for surface water and groundwater, except for water reserved by court-ordered special officers. This change only updates legal language without altering current water management practices or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHCR 2043 is a technical correction to Arizona’s groundwater management law, specifically amending Section 45-576.05. It clarifies how groundwater replenishment districts calculate whether a member’s water use aligns with regional management goals when certain conditions (like surface water availability) are no longer met. Key changes include: (1) requiring districts to count surface water, treated wastewater, and external groundwater withdrawals instead of local groundwater; (2) capping local groundwater use at 100 times the highest historical withdrawal in the active management area; and (3) requiring municipal providers with "assured water supply" designations to seek redesignation if conditions change. The bill applies directly to groundwater districts and their municipal members in Arizona, and requires voter approval to take effect.

Maddy summaryHCR 2013 is a proposed law requiring Arizona counties to verify voters' addresses before mailing early ballots and restricting foreign funding in election administration. It mandates that large counties (500,000+ population) require voters to confirm their address each election cycle via mail, phone, or online portal before receiving an early ballot, while smaller counties must do so every four years. The measure also prohibits government election administration from using funds from foreign governments or non-U.S. individuals, requiring vendors to certify annually they receive no such funds and imposing misdemeanor penalties for violations. This referendum failed to pass in June 2025 and would require voter approval to become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2374 enhances sentencing for individuals convicted of stalking, harassment, or assault when acting as agents of foreign governments or terrorist organizations to coerce people into actions like leaving the U.S. or restricting protected activities (e.g., free speech, religious practice). It also criminalizes foreign agents conducting unauthorized law enforcement activities (like surveillance) within Arizona, classifying violations as a class 2 felony. The bill mandates an annual training program for Arizona law enforcement on identifying transnational repression tactics, including digital surveillance and community-targeted threats. These provisions directly affect foreign government/terrorist agents operating in Arizona, local law enforcement, and residents potentially targeted by such repression. The law, signed by the governor on June 25, 2025, focuses on strengthening legal responses to cross-border intimidation campaigns.