Rep. Janeen Connolly

Maddy summaryHB 2839 establishes a maximum annual rent increase limit for landlords in Arizona, directly affecting both landlords and tenants. It caps rent increases at the annual consumer price index (CPI) plus 3% of the current rent, but not exceeding a total 7% increase per year. The bill also clarifies procedures for landlords to handle tenant property or animals if a tenant dies or becomes incapacitated, requiring authorized persons to retrieve items within 20 days. These provisions aim to limit arbitrary rent hikes while standardizing property retrieval processes under Arizona law.

Maddy summaryHB 2802 bans retail stores from providing free single-use checkout bags to customers. Instead, stores must charge at least $0.05 per bag for reusable fabric, recycled paper, or reusable plastic bags (defined as durable, multi-use bags). Stores must report total fees collected and bag types distributed to the Department of Environmental Quality, and face civil penalties of up to $250 per day for violations. The law exempts certain bags (like those for bulk items, frozen food, or WIC/EBT customers) and requires a state impact report by 2032. It takes effect in 2029 and expires in 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 2835 requires mandatory settlement conferences for certain eviction cases in Arizona before a trial can proceed. It applies to landlords seeking eviction for unpaid rent (under ARS 33-1368(B)) or material lease violations (under ARS 33-1368(A)), mandating that both parties attend a court meeting five days after the eviction notice is served. At the conference, they must bring lease agreements, payment records, and other relevant documents; failure to attend results in dismissal (landlord) or default judgment (tenant). If unresolved, the case moves to an eviction hearing five business days after the conference, streamlining the process while requiring courts to track and report settlement outcomes.

Maddy summaryHB 2912, the "Wage Antidiscrimination Act," prohibits Arizona employers from asking about a job applicant’s past salary or using salary history to screen candidates before making a job offer. It also protects employees who discuss wages or raise concerns about pay discrimination from retaliation. Employers violating the law face civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation and may be sued for damages, including lost wages and attorney fees. The bill strengthens existing equal pay laws by banning employers from using prior salary as a defense in discrimination cases and requires employers to include wage rights in employee handbooks.

Maddy summaryHB 2829 requires real estate websites using multiple listing services to give homeowners the option to opt out of having their property advertised online or opt in to having it advertised. This directly affects homeowners whose properties are listed on such websites, providing them control over whether their personal information and property details appear in public listings. The key provision mandates that websites must clearly offer both "opt out" and "opt in" choices for property advertising, without requiring homeowners to take extra steps to remove their listings. The bill aims to give property owners more privacy and choice regarding how their information is shared through real estate platforms.

Maddy summaryHB 2848 requires corporations, limited liability companies (LLCs), or their affiliates purchasing single-family homes in Arizona to register with the Corporation Commission before buying. County recorders cannot record deeds unless the buyer provides proof of registration and the deed states the property is not the owner’s primary residence. The bill limits corporate buyers to owning no more than 5% of a county’s single-family homes (or 100 units annually in counties with over 400,000 residents), with exceptions for entities owning fewer than ten homes statewide. These rules apply to commercial investors buying homes, aiming to limit large-scale corporate ownership in residential neighborhoods.

Maddy summaryHB 2834 requires Arizona municipalities with over 30,000 residents to allow "starter homes" in at least 10% of new single-family developments larger than 10 acres, starting January 1, 2027. It removes specific zoning rules like minimum lot sizes (4,000 sq ft), front/rear yard setbacks, and requirements for rear patios or landscaping, while preserving building codes and safety standards. A "starter home" must have income restrictions limiting initial sales or occupancy for 15 years to households earning ≤120% of the area median income (based on HUD data). The law exempts historic districts, airport zones, and existing planned communities, and expires December 31, 2035.

Maddy summaryHB 2812 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows individuals who attended Arizona high school (public, private, or homeschool) for at least two years and graduated in-state - regardless of immigration status - to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona universities or community colleges. The bill specifically clarifies that people without lawful immigration status meet the residency requirements under this provision. It does not change requirements for nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., students on F-1 visas). The amendment requires a three-fourths legislative vote for implementation.

Maddy summaryHB 2836 establishes new rights for sexual assault survivors in Arizona, directly affecting survivors, medical providers, law enforcement, and victim advocacy programs. The bill creates confidentiality for communications between survivors and trained victim advocates (requiring 30 hours of specific training), prohibits charging survivors for medical exams, and guarantees survivors the right to consult an advocate during medical exams and police interviews. It also mandates that medical facilities inform survivors of their rights before exams, ensures survivors can request gender-specific interviewers, and prohibits using sexual assault kits to prosecute survivors for unrelated minor offenses. The law aims to protect survivors' privacy and autonomy throughout medical and legal processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2830 requires Arizona's Attorney General to establish and maintain a public registry for victims of deed fraud. This registry allows individuals who have been victims of fraudulent property transfers to submit their name and the address of the affected property. The bill directly affects residents who have experienced deed fraud, providing a centralized system to report these incidents. The key mechanism is the creation of this specific registry within the Attorney General's office, enabling victims to document their cases without requiring new legal penalties or funding mechanisms.