Maddy summarySB 1328 requires Arizona's Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to establish formal consultation policies with all 22 federally recognized tribes in the state. These policies must include tribal input on consultation processes, designated contacts, geographic areas requiring consultation, and specific commitments like respecting tribal sovereignty and considering traditional knowledge. ADEQ must publish all policies online within 90 days and update them annually by December 31 of even-numbered years after direct tribal consultation. The bill mandates that ADEQ engage tribes throughout environmental decision-making to address potential impacts on tribal lands and interests. This law directly affects ADEQ's permitting and policy decisions that could impact tribal communities.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 1338 would allow Arizona to join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact (NPVIC), an agreement among states to award all electoral votes to the candidate who wins the national popular vote. If enacted and if enough states join to control 270+ electoral votes, Arizona would no longer award votes based on its own state election results but instead assign all electoral votes to the candidate with the most votes nationwide. This bill does not change how Arizona voters cast ballots but alters how the state’s presidential electors are selected, requiring the chief election official to calculate national vote totals and certify electors based on the national popular vote winner. The compact takes effect only when member states collectively hold a majority of electoral votes, and Arizona would remain subject to this system only if the agreement is active.
Maddy summarySB 1329 amends Arizona law to establish detailed application requirements for new charter schools and strengthen background checks for staff. It requires applicants to submit educational, business, and operational plans to approved sponsors (like state boards or universities), prohibits school districts from applying for their own charters, and mandates fingerprint clearance for all staff with student contact. The bill also requires charter schools to verify previous employment and report certain criminal charges to authorities. While titled "financial records," the bill focuses on application processes and personnel vetting, not financial oversight.
Maddy summaryHB 2459 amends Arizona law to establish new procedures for strip searches and pat searches of prisoners in state correctional facilities. The bill requires that strip searches be conducted only by an officer of the same gender in a designated room (with limited exceptions for immediate needs), prohibits touching body parts except during hair inspections, and mandates documentation for cross-gender pat searches in emergencies. Pat searches must generally be performed by an officer of the same gender, but opposite-gender searches are permitted in emergencies if documented with officer details, prisoner information, and the reason, and conducted with a witness when possible. The law directly affects prisoners and correctional officers in Arizona Department of Corrections facilities by standardizing search protocols to address privacy concerns.
Maddy summaryHB 2458 requires Arizona prisons to provide free medical care and feminine hygiene products to female inmates, with specific exemptions for pregnant inmates from paying medical fees, prescriptions, or hygiene costs. The bill mandates that prison staff explain the consequences of refusing non-life-threatening medical treatment and document any refusal in writing, while prohibiting denial of care due to financial reasons. It explicitly exempts pregnant inmates from all medical and health service fees (including prescriptions) and ensures they receive necessary feminine hygiene products at no cost. These provisions directly affect incarcerated women in Arizona, particularly pregnant inmates, by improving access to essential healthcare services.
Maddy summaryHB 2476 sets aside $100 million from Arizona's general fund for the water conservation grant fund during fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding supports local projects that reduce water waste, such as upgrading infrastructure or promoting efficient irrigation practices. It directly benefits municipalities, water districts, and other entities applying for these grants under Arizona law. The bill provides concrete financial resources for water conservation initiatives without creating new regulations.
Maddy summarySB 1188 bans price hikes of 25% or more for essential goods and services (like food, medicine, or utilities) during declared emergencies when market disruptions occur - such as natural disasters, power outages, or civil unrest. It applies to all sellers in the supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers, and requires the attorney general to enforce the rule. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with intentional violations carrying harsher penalties. The law only takes effect when a governor declares a state of emergency for the disruption.
Maddy summarySB 1209 requires corporations and limited liability companies (LLCs) to register with Arizona’s Corporation Commission before purchasing single-family homes, and mandates that county recorders cannot record deeds without proof of registration matching the deed’s owner name. It limits corporate ownership to no more than 5% of a county’s single-family homes (or 100 units annually in counties with 400,000+ residents) and requires deeds to state the property is not a primary residence. Exceptions apply to entities owning fewer than ten homes statewide and internal transfers within a corporation or LLC. The bill aims to regulate corporate real estate activity while exempting smaller-scale owners from the restrictions.
Maddy summaryHB 2586 creates a mobile communications platform for Arizona election workers, including poll workers, drivers, warehouse staff, and voter registration personnel. The bill requires the Secretary of State to establish this platform and deploy it in a pilot program across one or more counties, with counties potentially using it at reduced or no cost. It appropriates $200,000 from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to support the pilot, which expires on December 31, 2026. The legislation directly affects election workers and local election offices participating in the pilot.
Maddy summaryHB 2593 requires Arizona school districts to offer preschool educational programs for children with specific disabilities (including hearing, visual, developmental delays, or speech impairments) who reside within the district. Charter schools may choose to provide these programs. The bill mandates that districts evaluate children before admission and specifies that these preschoolers count as half a full-time student for funding purposes. It also directs the state board to distribute 10% of federal funds for preschool disability programs to school districts and charters that choose to participate. This bill directly affects preschool children with disabilities and school districts managing their educational services.