Rep. Janeen Connolly

Maddy summaryHCM 2014 is a memorial resolution from Arizona's legislature requesting Congress maintain existing national monuments in Arizona. It highlights 19 monuments (including Grand Canyon-Parashant, Chiricahua, and Ironwood Forest) and emphasizes their role in supporting local economies through tourism, recreation, and multi-use management like hunting and grazing. The resolution cites economic data showing these lands drive billions in annual outdoor recreation spending and job creation while preserving cultural sites and water resources. It does not propose new legislation but asks Congress to continue protecting these designated areas.

Maddy summaryHB 4091 creates a grant program to provide funding to tribal governments on reservations located in Arizona counties with fewer than 500,000 residents. The grants can be used for hiring or retaining law enforcement officers, purchasing communication equipment, funding IT upgrades, or covering costs related to investigating turquoise alerts. The bill appropriates $10 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to establish the Tribal Government Rural Law Enforcement Enhancement Fund, with no more than $100,000 annually allowed for administrative costs. The department administering the program must submit annual reports to the legislature by December 1st starting in 2027, detailing the program's effectiveness and improvement recommendations.

Maddy summaryHB 4135 creates a new child care tax credit for Arizona taxpayers with children under five who use certified child care providers. The credit provides $2,000 per child for families with federal adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, and $1,000 for incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 annually. A total of $15 million in credits is available each year on a first-come, first-served basis, with excess credits paid as refunds. The credit applies to tax returns filed for 2026 and later, supporting working families seeking quality early childhood care.

Maddy summaryHB 4095 establishes the Classroom Site Fund to provide additional resources for Arizona public schools, using existing state transfers (not an additional tax). It requires school districts and charter schools to use these funds for specific purposes like class size reduction, teacher compensation (with a performance component), and student support services. School districts must adopt a performance-based teacher compensation system that includes metrics such as academic progress, attendance, and graduation rates, and obtain approval from at least 70% of eligible teachers. Annual reporting on fund usage and program outcomes is also mandated for all recipients.

Maddy summaryHB 4072 requires tattoo artists and body piercing professionals in Arizona to register with the state board. The bill defines "tattoo artist" as someone who practices tattooing (placing ink under the skin) and "piercing professional" as someone who practices body piercing (making permanent skin holes). It establishes fees for registration, including a $100 initial application fee and a $100 renewal fee every two years. This requirement applies to anyone providing these services for compensation in Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 4065 formally ends the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) on July 1, 2034, despite its title suggesting continuation. The bill repeals existing DES-related statutes and sets a specific termination date, while making these changes retroactive from July 1, 2026. It directly affects DES operations, requiring the department to cease providing social services, welfare programs, vocational rehabilitation, and developmental disability services by 2034. The legislation does not create new programs but outlines a structured phaseout of the department’s current functions.

Maddy summaryHB 4120 requires Arizona's Department of Education to create a system for verifying high school graduation status, directly affecting individuals needing proof of graduation (e.g., for college, jobs, or licenses). The bill mandates the department to develop policies compliant with privacy laws (FERPA), allow fees for verification services after 100 free annual requests, and annually report request volumes, verification rates, costs, and revenues to state leaders. Key provisions include limiting free verifications to 100 per year, establishing fee collection, and requiring transparency through annual reports starting in 2027. It does not change graduation requirements but creates a formal verification process. The bill is currently in early legislative stages (House First Reading).

Maddy summaryHB 4089 requires contractors working on Arizona state service contracts (covering retail, food, hotel, janitorial, and healthcare services) to offer jobs to employees of the previous contractor within 10 days of taking over. It mandates a 90-day transition period during which contractors must retain eligible workers based on seniority, provide written job offers with a 10-day response window, and maintain a hiring list for remaining positions. The bill bars contractors from retaliating against employees who report violations or help investigate compliance. It directly affects workers in covered service sectors who performed at least 12 months of qualifying work under the previous contract, excluding managers and airline staff.

Maddy summaryHB 4111 requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers operating in Arizona to wear body-worn cameras during all public contacts, with limited exceptions (like avoiding unrelated personal information). It mandates that officers register their name and badge number with the state police and prohibits detaining individuals based solely on race, ethnicity, or national origin. Failure to activate cameras or tampering with footage creates a legal presumption of misconduct in civil investigations, with potential discipline up to termination. The bill directly affects ICE officers and the public they interact with, aiming to increase transparency in enforcement actions.

Maddy summaryHB 4073 sets new requirements for gestational surrogacy agreements in Arizona. It mandates that surrogates and intended parents complete medical and mental health evaluations by specific licensed professionals, obtain independent legal counsel, and sign agreements transferring parental rights immediately at birth. The agreements must disclose financial responsibilities, confirm no parental claims by surrogates or their spouses, and include specific acknowledgments of parental duties. These provisions apply to all surrogacy arrangements where at least one party is an Arizona resident or the birth occurs in Arizona.