Rep. Brian Garcia

Maddy summaryHB 2467 modifies Arizona's campaign finance laws by restricting direct corporate contributions to candidate committees while allowing corporations, limited liability companies, and labor organizations to establish separate segregated funds (similar to PACs) for employee and member contributions. These funds must register as political action committees, use payroll deduction systems, and follow specific solicitation rules for employees, members, and retirees. The bill requires corporations to register and report contributions exceeding $5,000 (statewide races), $2,500 (legislative races), or $1,000 (local races) within one business day, including details like recipient, candidate, and contribution date. Failure to comply incurs civil penalties up to three times the contribution amount. This directly affects corporations, LLCs, and labor organizations that make political contributions in Arizona elections.

Maddy summaryHB 2470 amends Arizona's election code to change how ballot measures are prepared and circulated. It requires political committees to get the attorney general's pre-approval on the description of initiative or referendum measures before submitting petitions, with the attorney general having 10 days to approve or reject it. The bill also creates new registration rules for circulators, mandating that all paid or non-resident circulators register with the secretary of state, provide personal details, sign an affidavit, and meet eligibility criteria (e.g., no recent fraud convictions). Signatures collected by unregistered or ineligible circulators may be invalidated, and challenges to circulator registrations must be filed in court within 10 business days.

Maddy summarySB 1189 adds a 10% annual interest rate to unpaid criminal restitution orders in Arizona, affecting victims of crimes who are owed payments and defendants ordered to pay restitution. The bill specifies that interest accrues on unpaid balances for both juvenile and adult cases, with the state collecting interest at 4% when enforcing restitution on behalf of victims. Restitution orders, once issued, are enforced as civil judgments without renewal requirements and expire only when fully paid. This change clarifies enforcement mechanisms for court-ordered payments to victims, ensuring consistent interest collection on outstanding amounts.

Maddy summaryHB 2294 amends Arizona law to allow outpatient treatment centers sharing ownership with a hospital and staffed by licensed providers to avoid state licensure, provided they do not charge a "facility fee." A facility fee is defined as any separate charge beyond professional fees for building costs, electronic records, billing, or administrative expenses. Centers must notify the health department of their exemption status, but the exemption does not apply if they keep patients overnight, provide abortion services, or offer pain management. This directly affects outpatient treatment centers seeking to operate without full licensure under these specific conditions.

Maddy summaryHB 2475 makes specific voter intimidation and ballot handling practices a class 2 misdemeanor in Arizona. It directly affects voters, election officials, and anyone near polling places or early voting locations during voting hours. Key provisions prohibit knowingly failing to return a ballot before leaving a polling place, showing another voter’s ballot, interfering with ballot delivery, or harassing people transporting voted ballots. The law also clarifies that voters sharing their ballot online is deemed consent for sharing, removing that act as a violation. These changes aim to protect ballot secrecy and prevent intimidation during the voting process.

Maddy summarySB 1192 establishes automatic voter registration for Arizona residents applying for or renewing driver’s licenses or nonoperating ID cards at the Department of Transportation, with an opt-out option within 21 days. It also allows same-day voter registration during the 28 days before an election or on election day at polling places, requiring proof of residence and using provisional ballots for that election. The bill mandates that registration information be sent to county recorders within 5 days, and specifies that new registrations qualify for federal, statewide, county, and legislative races but not partisan primaries for 29 days after registration. It updates Arizona Revised Statutes sections 16-106 (voter registration timing) and 16-112 (driver license registration procedures), effective December 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 2469 requires Arizona's secretary of state to provide an impartial, 50-word summary for each ballot measure, including specific "yes" and "no" effect statements (e.g., "A 'yes' vote will [change]"). These summaries must be approved by the attorney general and posted online 30 days before ballots are printed. The bill mandates that the official ballot display these summaries below the measure number, alongside the "yes/no" effect statements in clear, accessible language. It directly affects voters by improving transparency about ballot measure impacts and election officials who must implement these formatting and posting requirements. The changes apply to all statewide statutory measures, including initiatives and referendums.

Maddy summarySB 1195 updates Arizona's ballot handling and return procedures to clarify who may collect or deliver ballots and ensure valid submission. It requires election officials to provide clear instructions stating that only voters, family members, household members, or caregivers may handle or return ballots (prohibiting third-party collection). The bill revises mail ballot envelopes to include signature requirements and specifies that ballots must be returned to county offices or polling places by 7:00 p.m. election day (with updated options for 2026). It also reinforces felony penalties for violations, including offering payment for ballots or misrepresenting ballot collection services.

Maddy summaryHB 2643 allocates $120 million from Arizona's state general fund and $91 million from federal child care development funds for the Department of Economic Security's child care assistance program in fiscal year 2025-2026. The bill directs these funds specifically for child care assistance services, exempting them from standard appropriation expiration rules. This funding supports low-income families seeking child care, ensuring continued program operations without automatic budget lapse. The bill does not change eligibility rules or create new benefits, only securing existing funding streams.

Maddy summaryHB 2497 establishes a study committee to examine health insurance costs for Arizona school district employees and their dependents. The committee, composed of appointed members including health insurance representatives, school district officials, teachers, and school board members, will analyze current insurance plans and costs. It must recommend affordable ways to maintain high-quality health coverage for educators and their families. The committee must submit its findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 1, 2026, and will be dissolved after October 31, 2027.