Rep. Sarah Liguori

Maddy summaryHB 2191 allows religious institutions in Arizona to develop residential housing on their owned land without local zoning restrictions, provided they meet specific requirements. It requires developments to be at least 75 feet from neighboring properties, include parking, comply with utility access rules, and avoid areas near industrial zones or airports. Crucially, it mandates that 40% of units in such developments must be low-income housing for 55 years, and religious institutions must notify counties if the property loses tax-exempt status. The bill applies directly to religious organizations owning land for three+ years, overriding municipal zoning for qualifying projects.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona's child neglect definitions in Section 8-201 of the Revised Statutes. It adds specific criteria for "abandoned" (e.g., minimal parental effort after six months) and expands "abuse" to explicitly include sexual offenses against minors and certain hazardous situations. The changes clarify how child neglect and abuse are legally defined, affecting cases handled by the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and juvenile courts. It does not create new financial assistance or policy changes - it only refines existing legal terminology for consistency. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First Reading).

Maddy summaryHB 2878 modifies Arizona's tax lien foreclosure process to clarify when property owners can request a sale to recover excess proceeds above lien costs. It requires property owners or lien holders to provide specific documentation (including costs, interest, and property value estimates) to the court to determine if a sale is reasonable - specifically, if the sale price would exceed $2,500 above total lien costs. The bill sets a 60-day deadline for holding the sale after court judgment and specifies sale timing (weekdays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.). It directly affects property owners facing foreclosure, tax lien purchasers, county treasurers, and courts handling these cases. The changes aim to standardize the process for determining fair sale prices and distributing excess funds.

Maddy summaryHB 2874 requires health insurers in Arizona to notify state agencies when a healthcare provider's claim volume for services on a single workday exceeds what's reasonably expected based on patient capacity. This affects licensed healthcare providers (like doctors or clinics) and health insurers, including organizations like hospital service corporations. The key provision mandates insurers to report such patterns to the licensing board and the state department, without specifying penalties or investigations. The bill focuses on transparency through mandatory notification, not on changing insurance policies or provider practices.

Maddy summaryHB 2585 amends Arizona law to clarify open enrollment options for tribal students living on federally recognized tribal land. It defines "resident transfer pupil" to include tribal students who can enroll in one of the three closest school districts (based on shortest distance to district boundaries), rather than only their home district. This specifically affects tribal students residing on reservation lands who seek enrollment outside their home school district. The bill establishes a clear, distance-based mechanism for selecting eligible districts, without changing general open enrollment rules for other students.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes amending Arizona's constitution to remove the current ban on same-sex marriage and guarantee marriage equality. It would repeal the existing constitutional provision defining marriage as between one man and one woman, replacing it with a new section stating marriage cannot be prohibited based on sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. If approved by voters, this change would directly affect all Arizona residents seeking marriage licenses by ensuring same-sex couples have the same constitutional right to marry as opposite-sex couples. The proposal requires voter approval at the next general election before taking effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2289 would increase Arizona's minimum wage in phased steps, starting at $10 per hour in 2017 and rising to $18 per hour by 2025. After 2025, the wage would automatically adjust annually based on the U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for cost-of-living changes. The bill also allows employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour, provided total tips and wages meet the minimum wage requirement for all hours worked. This applies to most covered employees in Arizona, excluding certain agricultural or seasonal workers as defined by existing law. The bill requires a three-fourths vote in both legislative chambers to become effective.

Maddy summaryHCR 2030 requires Arizona public schools to identify the primary language of all new students and assess English proficiency using state-approved tests. It mandates that students not proficient in English be enrolled in structured English immersion programs with specific daily instructional time (120 minutes for K-5, 100 minutes for grades 6-12). The bill repeals older language education rules and creates a framework for the state board to approve research-based English instruction models, including annual reviews and budget procedures for schools. This directly affects English language learners (ELLs) and their schools, focusing on standardized assessment, program enrollment, and funding mechanisms. The bill establishes the Arizona English Language Learner Fund to support these programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2660 extends Arizona's affordable housing tax credit program, allowing developers and investors in qualifying low-income housing projects to claim a state tax credit equal to at least 50% of the federal low-income housing tax credit they receive. The bill requires the Arizona Department of Housing to issue eligibility statements for projects meeting federal criteria, with annual funding limits of $4 million (2022-2025) and $10 million (2026-2030). Taxpayers can apply the credit against insurance premium tax liability, carry forward unused credits for up to five years, and avoid retaliatory taxes under Section 20-230. The program directly affects developers and investors in affordable housing projects that qualify for federal low-income housing tax credits.

Maddy summaryHB 2506 adds two new official state holidays to Arizona's calendar: "Cesar Chavez Day" on March 31 and "Dolores Huerta Day" on April 1. The bill amends Arizona's statutes to include these dates in the list of recognized holidays for state employees and institutions. It directly affects state operations by designating these specific dates as days when state offices and schools would typically close. The key provision is the formal inclusion of these observances into the state's holiday schedule, honoring these civil rights leaders through official recognition.