Sen. Justine Wadsack

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of four specific private property parcels in Phoenix to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It grants the state's consent for the transfer of these lands, which are located on Devonshire Avenue and North 7th Street, for use by the federal government. The legislation includes the precise legal descriptions of the properties and is designated as an emergency measure to take effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits public schools and public libraries in Arizona from referring students or minors to sexually explicit materials without parental consent. It defines such materials broadly to include depictions of sexual conduct, sexual excitement, and ultimate sexual acts, while allowing exemptions for content with serious educational or literary value if parents approve. The legislation also mandates that schools provide alternative assignments for students whose parents do not consent to exposure to these materials. Additionally, it establishes that employees who act with criminal negligence in violating these rules could face felony charges.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to declare drug cartels as terrorist organizations within Arizona state law. It directs the Department of Homeland Security to take all actions within its authority to address the threat posed by these groups. The legislation defines a drug cartel as an association involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit, or acts of terrorism, and defines a threat as anything harming individual rights or public safety. If approved by voters, this change would formally categorize drug cartels alongside terrorist organizations for legal and enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires public universities in Arizona to post specific details for every course before classes start. Affected institutions must display the course title, a comprehensive list of required materials, and the instructor's resume along with their published works on course websites and directories. The law mandates that syllabi include publication details or links for all resources, such as books, articles, and videos, that students will review. If a university fails to meet these posting requirements, it is prohibited from listing the course online or allowing students to enroll in it. The Arizona Board of Regents is tasked with creating policies to enforce these new transparency rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the Arizona State Bar and the Arizona Supreme Court from disciplining or revoking an attorney's license if they bring a good faith, nonfrivolous legal claim to court. It asserts that such litigation is protected political speech and prevents these bodies from using attorney discipline to infringe on these rights. The law also establishes financial penalties for violations, imposing a fine equal to ten percent of the State Bar's licensing fees or the Supreme Court's prior budget if they enforce discipline in violation of the statute.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona's criminal damage laws to clarify how damages are calculated and establishes a mandatory minimum fine for all convictions. It specifically allows courts to include labor, material, and equipment costs when determining the value of property damage, particularly for graffiti on buildings. Additionally, the legislation creates a Victims of Criminal Damage Fund financed by these fines to provide financial assistance to retail businesses that cannot recover their losses through restitution. The bill applies to individuals who recklessly or intentionally damage property, with penalties ranging from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the amount of damage and the type of victim.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes to grant the Arizona Board of Regents expanded authority to set tuition rates and fees for public universities. It establishes a new rule that undergraduate students who complete at least 145 credit hours will face higher tuition rates, while also creating specific exceptions for transfer students, those pursuing multiple degrees, and veterans. The legislation requires the Board to hold public hearings before approving tuition increases and mandates that revenue from these higher fees be kept in separate accounts for each university rather than being used to support alumni associations. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definition of a veteran for admission purposes and ensures that prior failing grades do not disqualify them from guaranteed admission policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Arizona law to formally declare that the state's public policy is to protect and promote parents' rights and family values. It establishes that, unless proven otherwise, it is in a child's best interest to have substantial, frequent, and continuing contact with both parents as well as joint participation in major decisions. Courts are now required to apply these provisions when handling family law matters, ensuring that legal outcomes align with the stated goals of strengthening family bonds.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Arizona laws regarding parental rights and access to health information for children involved with the Department of Child Safety. It ensures that foster parents and caregivers receive medical, behavioral health, and medication records for children in their care, while also clarifying that parents whose rights have not been terminated retain the authority to object to vaccinations. Additionally, the legislation grants parents and guardians specific rights during investigations, such as the ability to refuse cooperation or drug testing without facing immediate child removal, and requires the department to consult with biological parents on medical decisions. The bill aims to strengthen the legal standing of parents in dependency cases by ensuring they are informed of allegations, notified of custody actions, and involved in case planning and medical decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the Arizona Revised Statutes to clarify and expand the administrative powers of the Arizona Board of Regents over the state's universities. It allows the board to formally delegate specific governance and operational authority to university presidents, committees, or other designated entities, while retaining the power to rescind these delegations at any time. The legislation also establishes new requirements for setting tuition and fees, including mandatory public hearings, advance notice of proposed increases, and a public roll-call vote on final decisions. Additionally, the bill updates policies regarding student admission, specifically ensuring fair access for veterans and students from public and charter schools, and clarifies how tuition revenue must be managed and reported.