Sen. Mark Finchem

Maddy summarySB 1010 renames Arizona's Loop 202 highway as the "Charlie Kirk Highway" in honor of Charlie Kirk. The bill requires the Arizona Department of Transportation to update all official documents, records, and signage to include this new name while maintaining existing designations. It affects public records and highway signage for Loop 202, with no changes to the highway's physical structure or function. This is a ceremonial designation with no substantive policy changes.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows Arizona counties to assign qualified people who receive jury summons to serve as temporary election workers instead of jurors. Counties can determine eligibility, provide web-based training for these workers, and notify the jury commissioner after elections. It also adds a new excusal reason for people who served as election workers (e.g., inspector, clerk) within 180 days before receiving a jury summons. This directly affects individuals summoned for jury duty who are eligible for election work assignments.

Maddy summarySB 1656 updates Arizona family court procedures for appointing professional personnel (like social workers or therapists) in child custody cases. It requires courts to hold evidentiary hearings before appointment, provide parents with detailed written notices about the professional’s scope, costs, and reporting timeline, and mandate audio/video recordings of all interactions. The bill ensures appointed professionals must be licensed and in good standing, with complaints directed to their licensing agency rather than the court. Parents gain the right to object to appointments, request clarifications on reports, and pursue civil claims for ethical violations within four years. This directly affects families in custody disputes, courts managing such cases, and the professionals appointed to assess child welfare.

Maddy summarySB 1071 removes an exception that previously exempted the Arizona Rangers organization from standard security guard regulations in Arizona law. Specifically, it repeals Section 32-2606's provision allowing Arizona Rangers to operate under different rules when performing official duties for 501(c)(3) nonprofits. This bill directly affects the Arizona Rangers by eliminating their special status under the state's security guard licensing and training requirements. The bill does not create new policy but removes existing legal language, repealing two specific Arizona Revised Statutes chapters.

Maddy summaryArizona's SCR 1005 would prohibit foreign corporations or individuals from contributing money or resources to influence ballot measures (like initiatives or referendums), directly affecting campaign committees and entities that file campaign finance reports. It requires these groups to certify under penalty of perjury that they haven't accepted such foreign contributions. Tribal nations are explicitly exempt from this rule. If approved by voters, the amendment would become law, adding this restriction to Arizona's election laws. The bill is currently pending voter approval after passing initial legislative readings.

Maddy summarySB 1177 prohibits Arizona public funds from being used to cover medical procedures related to gender transition, including surgeries or prescriptions for puberty blockers, hormones, or other pharmaceuticals. It defines "gender transition" as per existing law and specifies that "public monies" includes any state funding, reimbursements, or health insurance coverage through state programs. Violating this prohibition by a public official would be deemed a misuse of public funds under Arizona law. The bill directly affects state agencies, health programs, and public employees who manage or distribute state-funded healthcare services.

Maddy summarySB 1157 appropriates $20 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to reimburse cities, towns, and counties that install supplemental fencing or bollard walls in high-crossing areas along the southern border. The bill directly affects local governments bordering Mexico by covering costs for physical barriers in areas with frequent border crossings. It provides a specific funding mechanism to support local border security infrastructure projects without creating new regulations. This is a funding measure, not a policy change, focused solely on reimbursing existing or planned border barrier installations.

Maddy summarySB 1156 appropriates $20 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to reimburse cities, towns, and counties for costs incurred when holding people in the U.S. without legal permission (referred to as "unauthorized aliens") in short-term detention. This funding directly affects local law enforcement agencies and governments that manage detention facilities. The bill provides a specific reimbursement mechanism for these short-term holds, which typically occur while federal immigration authorities process individuals. It does not change immigration policy or create new detention requirements, only covering existing local costs.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires AHCCCS insurance companies to reimburse non-network providers for laboratory services when a member is referred by a network provider. It also prohibits prior authorization for diagnostic services and bans insurance companies from retaliating against providers who refer members to non-network options. The law aims to increase competition within Arizona's Medicaid program by preventing insurers from blocking patient access to outside providers. It directly affects AHCCCS members, contracted healthcare providers, and non-network providers offering lab and diagnostic services.

Maddy summarySB 1139 requires family courts in Arizona to obtain **both parents' written consent** before ordering any paid therapeutic intervention (like therapy or counseling) or requiring one parent to pay for such services. It also sets strict standards for expert testimony on therapy, child development, or related issues, mandating that experts must have specialized training, clinical experience with children, and opinions aligned with established professional standards. The bill directly affects parents and courts in custody and parenting time disputes, aiming to limit unilateral court orders for paid services and ensure expert qualifications. Key definitions clarify that "paid service" includes any compensated therapy, and "therapeutic intervention" covers programs designed to improve parent-child relationships. This law does not change custody laws but modifies how courts handle therapy-related decisions and expert evidence.