Sen. Dave Farnsworth

Maddy summaryThis bill requires the Arizona Department of Corrections to submit an annual report on prison bed capacity to the joint legislative budget committee by November 1 each year. The report must detail available beds for different security levels and genders, explain changes in capacity over the past two years, and justify the removal of permanent beds versus the use of temporary ones. Additionally, the department must disclose plans to vacate beds and seek committee review before opening or closing one hundred or more beds. This legislation directly affects the state correctional system by increasing transparency regarding facility capacity and future bed management plans.

Maddy summarySB 1845 amends Arizona's insurance premium tax laws to establish specific tax rates for various insurance types, including fire, disability, and health care plans. The bill requires insurers to file detailed annual reports on premium income and mandates monthly tax payments for larger companies, while also introducing a mechanism for insurers to claim tax credits. A key provision creates a special tax rate for fire insurance on properties in cities that use private fire companies, with the collected revenue directed to local public safety retirement systems. Additionally, the legislation allows for electronic submission of tax reports and payments starting after December 31, 2017, and outlines procedures for handling overpayments and refunds.

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates state funds for fiscal year 2026-2027 to support capital projects across multiple Arizona agencies, including major maintenance for state buildings, highway construction, and the development of a veterans' home facility. It allocates specific amounts to the Department of Administration for building repairs, the Department of Corrections for facility renewal, and the Department of Transportation for statewide highway planning and construction. Additionally, the legislation establishes reporting requirements for the Department of Transportation to provide financial updates on highway expenses and debt obligations to legislative and executive officials. The bill also sets conditions for the veterans' home project, requiring federal funding commitments and site approval before any state money can be spent.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies how Arizona funds higher education for the 2026-2027 fiscal year by allowing the state to match less than two dollars for every dollar collected from student registration fee surcharges. It also adjusts the specific amounts of state aid provided to community college districts for STEM and workforce programs, as well as general operating funds. These changes direct the legislature to set the exact funding levels in the upcoming general appropriations act rather than following previous statutory requirements. The legislation directly affects the financial resources available to Arizona's community colleges and the students who rely on associated financial aid.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs Arizona state environmental funds to specific uses for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It allows money from the underground storage tank fund to cover department administrative costs and address sewage discharge problems in border areas like Naco. The legislation also permits legal fees to be paid from the water banking fund and grants up to $336,000 from the water protection fund to the Department of Water Resources for administrative expenses. Additionally, it sets a $15 million spending cap for the water quality assurance revolving fund and mandates that vehicle emissions testing fees in Area A remain at their 2025 levels.

Maddy summaryThis bill sets specific rental rates for state-owned buildings in Arizona for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. It establishes a charge of $17.87 per square foot for office space and $6.43 per square foot for storage space. These fees apply to tenants renting space from state agencies and are intended to stabilize the capital outlay fund. The legislation overrides previous statutory provisions to fix these amounts for the upcoming budget period.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new Arizona statutes to regulate the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by defining fund administration, setting income limits, and mandating specific eligibility review processes. It requires the Department of Economic Security to frequently cross-check recipient data with state agencies like the Department of Revenue and the Department of Corrections, as well as federal databases, to verify income, employment, and residency status. The legislation also mandates quarterly public reporting on fraud investigations and improper payments, while setting a goal to reduce the program's payment error rate to three percent by 2030. To enforce these standards, the bill imposes financial penalties on the department for failing to meet targets and requires an independent audit by the Auditor General to identify causes for errors.

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the Arizona Department of Gaming to collect a new 0.5 percent regulatory fee from commercial horse racing operators in fiscal year 2026-2027, with the fee taken directly from the betting pools. It also temporarily changes eligibility rules for first-time race horses by allowing them to compete if they have gate approval and at least two timed workouts, including one conducted within sixty days of the race. These specific provisions regarding the fee and horse eligibility are set to expire on December 31, 2027.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill updates the financial rules for state-sponsored charter schools, specifically those run by universities and community colleges. It clarifies that school districts are not financially responsible for these specific charter schools and establishes new methods for calculating funding based on student counts and enrollment verification. The legislation also introduces stricter limits on how students can be counted if they are enrolled in both a charter school and a traditional public school, ensuring funds are not duplicated. Additionally, the bill outlines how state aid will be distributed and adjusted if a charter school receives other federal or state grants for basic operations.

Maddy summarySB 1835 updates Arizona's state lottery fund to ensure that money is first used to pay off lottery-related bond debts before funding other programs. The bill mandates specific annual allocations from the lottery fund to various state agencies, including the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, the Department of Child Safety, and the Department of Health Services, for designated initiatives like the Healthy Families Program and teenage pregnancy prevention. Additionally, it establishes a minimum deposit of $84.15 million into the state general fund before other distributions occur and directs remaining surplus funds to support homeless shelters, university capital improvements, and the state general fund. This legislation primarily affects state financial management and ensures that lottery revenue supports a defined set of public services and debt obligations.