Rep. Lorena Austin

Maddy summaryHB 2538 prohibits Arizona landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their income source, such as government benefits (e.g., Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans' benefits) or private assistance. It requires landlords to count rent vouchers or subsidies toward income requirements when evaluating tenants and bans them from refusing rentals, evicting, or charging more because of a tenant’s income source. The law also prevents landlords from advertising preferences against tenants using such assistance. Violations are treated as unlawful under existing housing laws, with enforcement by the attorney general. This directly affects renters using public assistance and landlords managing rental properties.

Maddy summaryHB 2290 establishes a licensing requirement for student loan servicers operating in Arizona, directly affecting entities that manage student loans for borrowers. It mandates that most servicers obtain a state license (with exceptions for banks/credit unions), requiring application fees, financial disclosures, and criminal background checks. The bill also creates a state student loan ombudsman to handle borrower complaints, analyze issues, and develop an education course on loan terms and repayment options by 2025. Key provisions include license renewal rules, suspension for unpaid fees, and a requirement for servicers to notify the state of operational changes. This policy changes how student loan servicing is regulated within Arizona, focusing on oversight and borrower support.

Maddy summaryHB 2288 restricts tuition and fee increases at Arizona's public universities. It limits annual tuition hikes for in-state undergraduate students to the change in the metropolitan Phoenix consumer price index (CPI), but only if the state appropriates at least 50% of the tuition and mandatory fees. The bill also prohibits tuition increases for in-state undergraduates during their first four years of enrollment. Additionally, it requires public hearings and disclosure of proposed changes before any tuition or fee adjustments take effect. This directly affects the Arizona Board of Regents, public universities, and in-state undergraduate students.

Maddy summaryHB 2502 requires Arizona employers to provide employees with a 30-minute unpaid meal break after five hours of work (and an additional break after twelve hours), plus a paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked. It mandates 1.5 times regular pay for hours worked beyond eight in a workday (up to twelve hours) or the first eight hours on a seventh consecutive workday, and double pay for hours beyond twelve in a day or eight on the seventh consecutive workday. The bill applies to employers meeting the federal threshold of $100,000 annual sales or engaging in interstate commerce, ensuring Arizona’s labor standards align with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. This directly affects most Arizona employers and their hourly workers by modifying break requirements and overtime compensation rates.

Maddy summaryHB 2286, the "Arizona Ban on Scholarship Displacement Act of 2025," prohibits eligible Arizona public universities and community colleges from reducing a student's gift aid (non-loan financial aid) because they receive a private scholarship, except when the gift aid exceeds the student's actual cost of attendance. It directly affects students enrolled in associate or bachelor's degree programs at eligible institutions (like Arizona Board of Regents universities or community colleges) who receive private scholarships from companies, foundations, or nonprofits (excluding university foundations or government aid). The bill requires institutions to consider private scholarship awards separately when determining financial aid, ensuring students retain full scholarship benefits unless the gift aid already covers their full cost of attendance. Key definitions clarify "cost of attendance" (including tuition, books, living expenses) and "gift aid" as non-loan financial support.

Maddy summaryHB 2501 repeals Arizona's right-to-work law (ARS 23-1302), which currently prohibits employers from requiring union membership or dues as a condition of employment. The bill also amends related statutes to remove references to the repealed law, including adjustments to civil liability for employment violations and protections against retaliatory termination. However, the bill will not take effect unless voters approve a constitutional amendment for right-to-work at the next general election. This repeal would directly affect workers, employers, and labor unions by eliminating a key restriction on union security agreements.

Maddy summaryHB 2531 creates a new "community college access and success" special license plate program for Arizona vehicle owners. Community college districts must pay a one-time $32,000 fee to the state to implement the program. Once approved, vehicle owners can purchase these plates for a $25 annual fee, with $17 of that amount donated to the community college district. The plates will feature a design similar to historic collegiate plates (pre-1993) and may be personalized with an additional fee.

Maddy summaryHB 2282 requires Arizona's occupational licensing agencies to create pathways for obtaining licenses through approved apprenticeship programs. It mandates that applicants must complete a U.S. Department of Labor-approved or Arizona Department of Economic Security-approved apprenticeship program - either at a state-licensed school or under an approved trainer holding the same license - and pass any required exam. The bill specifically prohibits licensing exams from favoring applicants from apprenticeship programs over those from vocational schools. This directly affects workers seeking licenses in regulated fields (like construction or healthcare) and the state agencies that issue those licenses.

Maddy summaryHB 2359 prohibits healthcare professionals from providing conversion therapy to minors under 18, defining conversion therapy as any practice seeking to change a minor's sexual orientation or gender identity. The bill exempts clergy acting in a pastoral role and parents who are healthcare professionals acting as parents, not professionals. It also bans state and federal funds from being used for conversion therapy for minors, including through grants, contracts, or health benefits coverage. The law directly affects licensed therapists, state agencies, and entities receiving public funds by restricting both clinical services and financial support for this practice.

Maddy summaryHB 2509 restricts how regulated utilities (like electric and gas companies) can spend money paid by customers. It bans using ratepayer funds for political activities (including lobbying, campaign contributions, and political action committees), charitable giving, advertising, executive perks (like travel and gifts), and non-essential expenses such as litigation over regulations. The bill directly affects public service corporations regulated by Arizona's Corporation Commission and their parent companies or subsidiaries. Key provisions require these entities to stop using customer money for any political influence efforts or non-regulated business costs, and they must report any lobbying activities.