Rep. Lorena Austin

Maddy summaryHB 2632 prohibits landlords in Arizona from terminating a tenant's rental agreement solely due to the tenant's marijuana use. This bill directly affects residential tenants who use marijuana, protecting them from eviction based on that use alone. The key provision amends Arizona law to explicitly state that landlords cannot use a tenant's marijuana use as a reason for termination. The bill does not change other aspects of rental agreements or marijuana laws, only addressing landlord-tenant termination decisions. It is currently in early legislative stages (House first and second readings).

Maddy summaryHB 2713 amends Arizona law to treat violations by landlords in mobile home parks and RV parks as consumer fraud. It deems such violations as breaches of the state's consumer fraud statute (Title 44, Chapter 10, Article 7), making them subject to enforcement under that law. This means landlords who break rules for mobile homes or RVs could face penalties like fines or remedies under consumer fraud protections. The bill directly affects mobile home and RV park landlords by expanding enforcement tools without changing existing rental regulations. It does not create new rules but links violations to an established consumer protection mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2390 requires court approval for contracts involving unemancipated minors (under 18) working in artistic or creative roles like acting, music, or online content creation. It mandates that 15% of a minor’s gross earnings be placed into a trust account managed by a parent or guardian (unless the court appoints another trustee), with employers depositing these funds within 15 business days. The bill also requires employers to provide documentation to financial institutions and establishes annual accounting requirements for the trust. This applies to all minors in the entertainment industry who enter contracts for artistic services, directly affecting minors, their parents/guardians, and their employers.

Maddy summaryHB 2639 creates a new "luxury item classification" for Arizona's business tax system, imposing a 6.5% tax rate on businesses selling qualifying luxury items. This directly affects retailers and sellers of high-end goods classified as "luxury items" under the law. The bill specifies that 50% of tax revenues collected from this new classification will be distributed to designated state funds as outlined in Section 42-5029. The law does not define "luxury items" but establishes a distinct tax rate and revenue distribution mechanism separate from existing business classifications like retail or restaurants.

Maddy summaryHB 2699 prohibits Arizona state and local government agencies from requiring contractors on public works projects to pay prevailing wages or enter specific labor agreements. It specifically blocks requirements for project labor agreements, neutrality agreements with unions, and participation in federally registered apprenticeship programs as conditions for public construction contracts. The law applies to contracts involving public building construction, repair, or improvement, affecting both contractors and government agencies awarding such projects. It does not impact private contracts or activities protected under federal labor law.

Maddy summaryHB 2471 adds two new state holidays in Arizona: March 31 for "Cesar Chavez Day" and April 1 for "Dolores Huerta Day." The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 1-301 to include these dates in the official list of state holidays, affecting state employees and institutions that observe designated holidays. It also repeals Section 1-308 of the statutes. This is a procedural change to the state's holiday calendar with no substantive policy impact beyond naming these observances.

Maddy summaryHB 2470 adjusts Arizona legislators' daily subsistence payments during legislative sessions. It replaces a fixed $35 rate for Maricopa County residents with a new system where all legislators receive 100% of the federal per diem rate (including lodging) for non-Maricopa residents, and Maricopa residents get $35 for the first 120 session days. After 120 days, Maricopa residents receive $10 daily, while non-Maricopa residents get 50% of the annual federal rate. The annual rate is set by the Department of Administration using U.S. General Services Administration data, and legislators may opt out of these payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2651 establishes a voluntary "Blue Envelope Program" for drivers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in Arizona. Participants receive a standardized blue envelope (available in English and Spanish) containing their vehicle registration, insurance details, and communication tips for law enforcement during traffic stops. The program ensures confidentiality by prohibiting disclosure of participants' identities and requires collaboration between the state, University of Arizona, and community stakeholders to design the envelope's contents based on expert guidance. This directly affects individuals with autism spectrum disorder who drive, aiming to improve communication during police interactions.

Maddy summaryHB 2296 prohibits Arizona state agencies and local governments from requiring public works contractors to sign neutrality agreements, project labor agreements, or contribute to federally registered apprenticeship programs as a condition of winning or performing public construction projects. It directly affects contractors bidding on state or local public works contracts, such as building or repairing public infrastructure. The bill defines key terms like "neutrality agreement" (requiring contractors to stay neutral toward unions) and "project labor agreement" (pre-hire bargaining agreements), banning these as mandatory contract conditions. It explicitly does not prevent private collective bargaining or interfere with federally protected labor activities.

Maddy summaryHB 2629 amends Arizona's corporate income tax law to increase the minimum tax for corporations with 50 or more employees from $50 to $1,000. Smaller corporations (fewer than 50 employees) remain subject to the $50 minimum tax. The bill also updates the tax rate schedule for corporate income (e.g., lowering rates from 6.968% to 4.9% over time), but the primary change is the higher minimum tax for larger businesses. This amendment applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.