Rep. Brian Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 2572 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows nonimmigrant aliens (excluding those covered under 8 U.S. Code § 1101(a)(15)) who attended Arizona high school for two years and graduated locally (including homeschoolers) to qualify for in-state rates at Arizona public universities and community colleges. This includes students without lawful immigration status who meet the residency requirements. The bill requires a three-fourths legislative vote for enactment under Arizona's Constitution.

Maddy summaryHB 2491 modifies Arizona's corporate tax calculation method for businesses operating across state lines. It changes how taxable income is apportioned between states, gradually shifting from a formula balancing property, payroll, and sales factors to using *only* the sales factor for most businesses starting in 2016 (through 2026). This directly affects corporations with operations in multiple states, as it increases the weight of sales activity within Arizona for tax purposes. The bill specifies different calculation formulas for various time periods, with the 2016-2026 period requiring businesses to use the sales factor alone to determine Arizona tax liability.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 sets standards for Arizona online schools and course providers, focusing on curriculum quality, student safety, and teacher qualifications - not full-day kindergarten as the title suggests. It requires online schools to meet specific criteria (like filtered internet access, virtual learning tools, and partnerships with educational institutions) and mandates probationary status for new programs until academic improvements are proven. The bill also establishes rules for calculating average daily membership (ADM) and funding: full-time online students receive 95% of standard funding, while part-time students receive 85%, with strict limits on how attendance hours can be counted across traditional and online programs. These provisions directly affect Arizona public schools, charter schools, and online education providers participating in the state’s virtual learning programs.

Maddy summaryHB 2704 requires Arizona's education department to provide parents with a clear notice detailing all legal rights they waive when enrolling their child in the state's Arizona Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program. This notice must be included in application packets and posted on the department's website, ensuring parents understand the terms before enrollment. The bill does not change ESA funding or eligibility but adds this mandatory disclosure requirement to improve transparency. It directly affects parents and students participating in the ESA program, who must acknowledge these waived rights as part of the application process. The legislation focuses on informing families about program limitations without altering the existing ESA structure.

Maddy summaryHB 2803 repeals Arizona Revised Statute 15-911 and amends ARS 15-1285 to exempt school districts and career technical education districts from state budgetary spending limits. Specifically, funds received by these districts under the relevant chapter are not counted as local revenue for constitutional budget calculations and cannot be restricted by existing expenditure caps. This allows school districts to use state-provided funds without being constrained by the usual spending limits that apply to local revenue. The bill also includes related adjustments to expenditure limitation calculations for counties but focuses primarily on increasing school district financial flexibility.

Maddy summaryHB 2637 updates Arizona's method for calculating annual spending limits for cities, counties, and other local governments (not school districts, as the title suggests). It requires the state commission to determine each jurisdiction's expenditure limit using a formula based on population changes since 1979 and inflation adjustments (GDP price deflator), with annual reports to local governing boards. The bill includes specific rules for adjusting limits when jurisdictions annex new areas, split, or form new cities or counties. This directly affects all Arizona political subdivisions subject to the state's constitutional spending cap, ensuring their annual budgets reflect population growth and inflation. The changes apply to how these limits are calculated and reported each year.

Maddy summaryHB 2638 creates the Arizona School Mental Health Professionals Academy to address staffing shortages in public schools. It provides graduate students pursuing school psychology, social work, or counseling degrees with scholarships covering tuition and fees (up to three years) at eligible Arizona institutions, in exchange for a one-year service commitment in public schools after graduation. The program prioritizes critical need areas like rural schools, Indian reservation schools, and schools serving students with disabilities. The Arizona Board of Regents manages a dedicated fund for administering the academy, tracking participants, and ensuring graduates fulfill their service obligations in public schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2714 amends Arizona's tax deed sale process to prioritize affordable housing development. It allows counties to sell property held by the state due to unpaid taxes directly to cities, counties, or housing authorities for low-income housing without requiring a public auction, provided a recorded agreement ensures affordability for at least 30 years. The bill also includes streamlined sales to contiguous property owners (for commercial, agricultural, or residential use) and homeowners' associations for common areas. These changes aim to facilitate affordable housing projects by removing auction barriers for eligible properties while maintaining standard procedures for other sales.

Maddy summaryArizona's legislature is formally approving the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), a constitutional amendment proposed by Congress in 1972 that would guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. The resolution states Arizona's ratification of the amendment and directs the Secretary of State to send the approval to federal officials. This action supports the national effort to achieve the required ratification by 38 states (three-fourths of all states) for the ERA to become part of the U.S. Constitution. The bill does not change Arizona law but advances the federal constitutional process.

Maddy summaryHB 2738 provides tax relief to owners and operators of computer data centers in Arizona that meet specific investment requirements, with qualified colocation tenants also eligible for the benefit. To qualify, data centers must apply for certification, submit a cost responsibility agreement (requiring them to pay for utility infrastructure upgrades), and meet either a $25 million investment threshold (in counties under 800,000 people) or $50 million (in larger counties) within five years of certification. Failure to meet these thresholds results in revoked certification and potential recapture of tax relief, with new applications no longer accepted after December 31, 2033.