Rep. Lorena Austin

Maddy summaryHB 4124 requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) in Arizona to reimburse local pharmacies at or above the actual acquisition cost of drugs, not below. It mandates PBMs to use specific reimbursement formulas based on national drug pricing averages, limits claim payment errors to a 2% rate, and creates a 15-day appeal process for pharmacies to challenge underpayments. The bill directly affects community pharmacies (with fewer than 10 locations) and PBMs by ensuring fair reimbursement, requiring transparent rebate disclosures, and obligating PBMs to pass manufacturer rebates to health plans for lower costs or broader coverage. Key provisions include standardized payment calculations, mandatory error correction, and annual compliance certifications to the state department.

Maddy summaryHB 4126 establishes Arizona's state-run retirement savings program, targeting private-sector employees without access to employer-sponsored retirement plans (excluding government workers, railroad employees, and those in existing tax-qualified plans). The bill creates an Arizona Retirement Savings Board to manage the program, allowing workers to contribute to individual retirement accounts (IRAs) through automatic payroll deductions. Key provisions include requiring the Board to develop investment policies, partner with private administrators, and ensure federal tax compliance for the program. The title references "appropriation" as future funding would be authorized separately, but the bill itself only sets up the program framework.

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 4122 amends Arizona landlord-tenant laws to clarify tenant rights and landlord obligations. It requires landlords to provide tenants with at least nine months' notice before rent increases for year-long leases or long-term tenants, and prohibits charging fees for background checks if tenants provide their own credit reports. The bill also mandates upfront written disclosure of all rent amounts, mandatory fees, and property management details before tenancy begins. Additionally, it establishes procedures for authorized persons to retrieve tenant property or animals if a tenant dies or becomes incapacitated, with specific timelines for property removal.

Maddy summaryHB 4104 allocates a specific sum from the state general fund to the Arizona Arts Trust Fund for fiscal year 2026-2027. This appropriation directly provides funding to the trust fund, which supports arts organizations and cultural programming across Arizona. The bill establishes no new policies but ensures ongoing financial support for existing arts initiatives through the trust fund's mechanisms. As a procedural funding measure, it does not alter eligibility or program requirements.

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 2579 appropriates $4.5 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to the Department of Education to provide free school meals to children meeting federal income eligibility standards for free and reduced-price lunches. The bill directly affects qualifying Arizona students in public schools by expanding access to meals without cost to families. Key provisions include using state funds to cover meal costs for eligible children under existing federal nutrition program criteria and establishing the appropriation as ongoing funding for future years. This policy change modifies state funding allocation for school nutrition programs without altering federal eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 4006, titled the "Right to Speak Your Truth Act," prohibits individuals accused of sexual misconduct, abuse, assault, harassment, or domestic violence from using defamation lawsuits to silence accusers or reporters. It specifically blocks defamation claims when the accused attempts to retaliate against someone who reported the incident or named the accused publicly. The bill allows defamation lawsuits only if the accuser's claim is factually impossible for the accused to have committed, the accuser was impeached in court over the same facts, the accuser made contradictory public statements, or the accuser publicly denied the incident occurred. This directly protects accusers, staff, and third parties reporting sexual offenses from being sued for speaking out.