Rep. Brian Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 2742, the Arizona CROWN Act, prohibits employment and school discrimination based on "protective hairstyles" like braids, locks, or twists. It makes it illegal for employers, training programs, and schools (from nursery through postgraduate) to discriminate against individuals due to their hairstyle, race, or ethnicity. The law defines "protective hairstyle" broadly and explicitly ties it to race and ethnicity protections, including historically associated traits like hair texture. This directly affects employees and students in Arizona workplaces and educational institutions.

Maddy summaryHB 2709 limits landlord fees and requires clearer rental disclosures in Arizona. Landlords cannot charge for background checks if renters provide their own credit reports, may not charge more than the actual screening cost, and cannot charge multiple application fees within a year. Landlords must provide written disclosures before tenancy, including all mandatory fees, rent amounts, due dates, and optional costs (like trash valet or smart device upgrades), and include these details in all rental ads and websites. This directly affects Arizona landlords and renters by reducing unexpected costs and increasing transparency in rental agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2297, the "Arizona Ban on Scholarship Displacement Act of 2026," prevents Arizona public colleges and universities from reducing a student's free financial aid (like grants or scholarships not requiring repayment) if the student receives a private scholarship. Specifically, institutions cannot lower gift aid because of a private scholarship, except when the gift aid exceeds the student's actual cost of attendance (tuition, fees, books, living expenses, etc.). The bill also prohibits schools from factoring private scholarships into financial aid decisions. It directly affects Arizona public universities and community colleges (under the Arizona Board of Regents or community college system) and students receiving private scholarships from non-governmental sources.

Maddy summaryHB 2524 repeals Arizona Revised Statutes Section 13-3605, which previously regulated advertising related to abortion services and conception. This procedural bill removes a specific advertising rule governing how abortion-related information could be promoted. It does not create new requirements but eliminates an existing statutory provision. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House first and second readings as of January 20-21, 2026).

Maddy summaryHB 2528 establishes new rights for Arizonans seeking fertility care, including the right to access treatments like IVF without unreasonable restrictions, continue ongoing treatments, and control their embryos, eggs, or sperm. It also affirms health care providers' rights to perform fertility treatments and insurers' rights to cover them. The law requires health authorities to create rules supporting these rights within one year. This bill directly affects individuals pursuing fertility care, clinics offering such services, and health insurance companies.

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 2522, the "Arizona Right to Contraception Act," establishes a legal right for Arizonans to access contraceptives and contraception-related information, and for healthcare providers to offer these services. It prohibits state or local restrictions that single out contraceptive services, impede access, or interfere with a provider's ability to deliver care. The bill explicitly clarifies it does not override existing requirements for voluntary, informed consent in sterilization procedures. This law directly affects individuals seeking reproductive healthcare and healthcare providers who offer contraceptive services across Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2711 modifies how Arizona allocates unclaimed property funds, such as abandoned bank accounts and stocks, that would otherwise go to the state general fund. It directs 55% of these funds to the housing trust fund, with 40% of that portion (22% of total funds) specifically reserved for rural housing development. The bill also specifies that $2 million goes to a trust fund for housing the seriously mentally ill, $2.5 million to the general housing trust fund, and $24.5 million to the department of revenue's administrative fund. This policy change affects state fund distribution without directly altering individual rights or services.

Maddy summaryHB 2295 raises Arizona's minimum wage to $18 per hour by January 1, 2027, with scheduled increases from $10 in 2017 up to $12 in 2020. After 2020, the wage will automatically adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (measuring cost-of-living changes) to maintain its value. The bill also allows employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour, provided total tips plus wages meet the minimum wage requirement. This applies to most hourly workers in Arizona covered by state minimum wage law, including those in restaurants and service industries. The bill requires a three-fourths legislative vote to take effect.

Maddy summaryHB 2301 prohibits businesses from charging more than 10% above pre-emergency prices for essential goods (like food, water, medical supplies, and rent) during a declared state of emergency. It classifies violations as felonies: selling over $500 worth of such goods in 24 hours during an emergency is a class 5 felony, while under $500 is a class 6 felony. The Arizona Attorney General is authorized to investigate and enforce these rules under existing consumer protection laws. This bill directly affects businesses selling essential commodities during emergencies, not the general public.