Rep. Brian Garcia

Maddy summarySB 1418 would establish Arizona's "Outdoor Rx Program," providing state grants to public and private agencies for outdoor-based therapy programs focused on nature, recreation, and environmental engagement. It directly affects organizations offering therapy through activities like conservation, ecological studies, or agricultural work, with a requirement that at least 50% of program participants be veterans or individuals recovering from trauma. Key provisions include mandatory matching funds for applicants, strict reporting and auditing rules for grant recipients, and prioritizing programs that use state parks, partner with public entities, and demonstrate research-based effectiveness. The Department of Health Services would administer the program, with an advisory committee overseeing grant eligibility and selection criteria.

Maddy summarySB 1421 establishes a state-run program to monitor contaminants like pesticides and metals in Arizona’s sport fish. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality must test fish in all recreational waters (especially urban areas) every three years, conduct annual screenings for new high-risk sites, and develop health risk assessments with the Department of Health Services. If contamination poses health risks, the department must issue bilingual (English/Spanish) health advisories and post signage at fishing locations, including parks, piers, and online fishing reports. The program requires $500,000 in state funding for fiscal year 2025-2026 to cover monitoring, assessments, and public notifications. This directly affects recreational anglers and communities near water bodies where fish consumption may pose health risks.

Maddy summarySB 1327 requires Arizona's Auditor General to study the costs of online instruction programs and schools for fiscal years 2021-2024, including administration, technology, personnel, and curriculum expenses. The study must examine school finance formula funding per online student, recommend reporting improvements, and identify ways to reduce administrative burdens. The state appropriates $165,000 for this study in fiscal year 2025-2026, with the requirement expiring December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects online education programs, schools, and the Auditor General's office by mandating a cost analysis, not by changing online education policies.

Maddy summarySB 1385 requires Arizona public schools serving grades 6-12 to provide free tampons and sanitary napkins in all women's and gender-neutral restrooms. This directly affects students in those grades and school districts, which must distribute the products without charging students or families. The bill appropriates $2.5 million from the state general fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to the Department of Education for distribution to schools. The law ensures access to feminine hygiene products without cost to students while specifying the types of products covered.

Maddy summarySB 1417 expands Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Account (ESA) program, allowing parents of eligible students (K-12) to use state funds for approved educational expenses. It requires parents to agree to use funds only for specific items like tuition at participating schools, textbooks, tutoring, approved therapies, and educational technology - while prohibiting use for non-educational items (e.g., video games) or concurrent school tuition organization scholarships. The bill also mandates annual evaluations by independent teams for students nearing age 22 to determine continued eligibility for funding. This directly affects ESA participants and their families, who must adhere to strict spending rules and annual review requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1413 amends Arizona law to clarify state authority over firearms regulations and unclaimed property handling. It updates Section 12-945 to specify that unclaimed firearms may be sold to licensed businesses (not just destroyed) and allows law enforcement to trade firearms for equipment. Crucially, it strengthens Section 13-3108 to preempt local ordinances, prohibiting cities from requiring firearm registration, keeping ownership records, or enacting stricter gun rules than state law. The bill directly affects Arizona cities and counties by limiting their ability to regulate firearms locally, while allowing limited exceptions for minor restrictions and commercial shooting ranges.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1384 requires pediatric healthcare providers (doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants) to discuss gun safety measures with parents or guardians during well-baby and pediatric visits. The bill mandates the Department of Health Services to create and post a gun safety pamphlet on its website by January 2026, covering proper storage and child safety risks. This information may be shared verbally by providers or directed to the pamphlet. The bill directly affects parents and guardians of children receiving routine pediatric care in Arizona. It focuses on providing educational resources, not restricting gun ownership or access.

Maddy summaryArizona is allocating $400,000 from the state general fund to help public schools plant low-VOC trees on campuses. The funding prioritizes schools where 75% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-price lunches under federal programs, targeting schools in high-poverty communities. Schools must use the funds by December 31, 2025, and may partner with nonprofits for tree planting. The bill specifies that leftover funds after this date will be distributed to other qualifying schools on a first-come basis.

Maddy summarySB 1423 repeals two existing Arizona statutes: Section 9-500.36 (related to energy measuring) and Section 11-269.14 (related to energy reporting). This bill removes specific legal requirements for energy measurement and reporting that were previously in place. It does not create new rules or directly affect any entities, as it only eliminates outdated provisions. The bill is procedural and has no new policy mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 1412 amends Arizona's domestic violence definition to explicitly include animal abuse within the legal framework. It expands the definition to cover acts harming animals when the relationship between the victim and perpetrator meets existing domestic violence criteria (e.g., marriage, household, shared children, or romantic relationship). This change means animal abuse in domestic settings is now treated as domestic violence under Arizona law, allowing law enforcement to apply existing protections like firearm seizures and court orders. The bill directly affects victims of domestic violence and their pets by ensuring animal abuse is addressed through the same legal mechanisms as physical or sexual violence.