Rep. Walt Blackman

Maddy summaryHB 4069 creates a special license plate program for vehicles used by police service dogs in Arizona. To implement the program, an individual or organization must pay $32,000 to the state department, design the plate (subject to approval), and cover a $25 annual fee per plate. Of the $25 fee, $17 is designated as an annual donation to a new "police service dogs special plate fund," while $8 covers administrative costs. This program directly affects those who pay the $32,000 setup fee and annual plate fees, with the donated funds supporting police service dog initiatives. The bill amends Arizona's vehicle registration laws to establish this specific plate category.

Maddy summaryHB 2858 requires Arizona state purchasing agencies to give a one percent preference to in-state bidders when their bids are identical to out-of-state bids in price and other material terms. It defines an "Arizona bidder" as a business authorized to operate in Arizona, tax-compliant, and either headquartered in-state for 12+ months or employing 500+ full-time residents with health benefits. The bill includes reciprocal adjustments for other states' preferences (e.g., if another state offers a 2% advantage, Arizona would apply a 2% increase to out-of-state bids) and excludes contracts exceeding $1.5 million annually. The policy aims to support Arizona-based small businesses - which represent 99% of state businesses and employ ~1 million workers - while maintaining competitive bidding and avoiding higher actual costs for the state.

Maddy summaryHB 2967 amends Arizona's custodial interference law (ARS 13-1302) to clarify when parents or custodians may legally withhold a child without facing criminal penalties. It adds specific defenses for parents who act in good faith to protect children from immediate danger - such as abuse, domestic violence, or neglect - during court-ordered parenting time or after filing protection petitions. Violations are classified as misdemeanors or felonies (ranging from Class 1 to Class 6) based on the actor’s relationship to the child (e.g., parent vs. non-parent), intent, and whether the action was motivated by a reasonable safety concern. The law directly affects parents, custodians, and courts in custody disputes, emphasizing child safety while defining legal boundaries for withholding children.

Maddy summaryHB 2070 allocates $25 million from Arizona's state general fund to Gila County for flood relief efforts in fiscal year 2025-2026. The funds must be used for specific flood-related purposes including flood prevention, debris removal, emergency repairs for infrastructure damage, and assistance to landowners, while supplementing (not replacing) federal aid. Gila County must exhaust other funding sources like federal reimbursements or insurance before using these funds and must report monthly to the legislature on expenditures. The appropriation is exempt from standard state budget lapsing rules and requires the county to seek federal reimbursement for eligible costs. This bill directly affects Gila County residents, local governments, and landowners impacted by flooding.

Maddy summaryHB 2855 creates Arizona's "Public Service Home Buyer Assistance Program" to provide low-interest mortgage loans with zero down payment and closing cost assistance specifically for eligible public service workers. It directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, and certified teachers (including those in public, charter, private schools, and state schools for the deaf/blind) who have been continuously employed for five years. The program funds loans for purchasing primary residences (new or existing, including condos/co-ops) but requires applicants to own no other residential property at the time of the loan. Funds come from legislative appropriations and loan repayments, with the authority required to submit annual reports on program activity to the legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2066 appropriates $8 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the city of Apache Junction. The funds are specifically designated to expand broadband and fiber optic networks within the city. This bill directly affects Apache Junction residents and businesses by providing state funding for improved high-speed internet infrastructure. (Procedural bill; summary limited to concrete funding allocation.)

Maddy summaryHB 2071 appropriates $15.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for the city of Apache Junction in fiscal year 2026-2027. The funds are allocated specifically to support a rural small business and workforce hub ($5 million), rural infrastructure revitalization ($6 million), and the development of a rural health and community services facility ($4.5 million). These appropriations directly affect Apache Junction's local government, providing dedicated funding for targeted community development projects. The bill establishes concrete financial support for these three defined purposes without altering existing laws or creating new regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2065 appropriates $9.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for Apache Junction in fiscal year 2026-2027. Specifically, $6.5 million funds affordable housing infrastructure projects, and $3 million supports housing rehabilitation and blight abatement efforts in the city. The funds will be distributed by the state treasurer directly to Apache Junction for these designated purposes. This bill provides targeted financial support for local housing improvements without creating new regulations or policy changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2854 allows parents of missing minors (under 18) to request emergency access to limited electronic information from service providers (like phone or internet companies) when the child is in imminent danger. Parents must submit a sworn affidavit confirming custody, unknown location, and imminent risk of death or serious injury, triggering a 2-hour disclosure requirement for device location, account details, and recent activity - without sharing communication content. Service providers acting in good faith are shielded from liability, and parents must submit the affidavit to court within 48 hours. The law explicitly prohibits accessing communication content, real-time tracking, or using the process for non-emergency purposes, and it does not replace standard law enforcement procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 2245 establishes a two-year pilot program in Arizona to test a digital system that helps veterans' service offices prepare complete disability claims for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The program integrates with existing state veteran benefits counselors, county offices, and tribal programs, using a technology system to analyze medical and service records, identify supportable conditions, and create fully developed claim packets for submission. It requires comparing results between offices using the technology and a control group, measuring outcomes like claim preparation time, first-time approval rates, and veteran satisfaction. The program, running until 2027, aims to evaluate if this approach improves claim efficiency without replacing human counselors or altering veterans' access to traditional support.