Sen. Vince Leach

Maddy summaryArizona's SCR 1011 is a state resolution applying under Article V of the U.S. Constitution to request Congress call a convention for proposing a constitutional amendment limiting congressional terms. It joins 22 other states that previously sought term limits but were overruled by the Supreme Court. The resolution formally asks Congress to draft such an amendment or allow states to convene a convention themselves, aggregating Arizona's application with similar efforts from other states to reach the required two-thirds threshold. This is procedural - it does not impose term limits but seeks to initiate the constitutional process for doing so.

Maddy summarySB 1215 regulates litigation financing in Arizona by restricting foreign government-linked entities from funding lawsuits and requiring full disclosure of financing arrangements. It prohibits foreign entities of concern (like those tied to hostile governments) from providing funding, bans financiers from influencing case strategy or settlements, and mandates that all parties disclose financing details - including the financier’s name - to opposing sides within 30 days of a case starting. The law also requires courts to consider financing conflicts in class actions and complex cases, and allows parties to seek court review if they believe undisclosed financing threatens their interests. These rules apply to all civil lawsuits, including those involving health care providers or large-scale litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 2779 amends Arizona law to clarify procedures for taking juveniles into temporary custody and establishes training for school security personnel. It requires peace officers to notify a juvenile’s parents, guardian, or custodian (unless safety is at risk) when taking a juvenile into custody for alleged misconduct, and mandates explaining juvenile Miranda rights in understandable language. The bill also creates a new training program for school law enforcement officers and security staff, requiring completion within one month of starting a school-related role (or presenting a valid certificate if completed within two years). These changes apply to all school districts and charter schools, with the training requirement effective June 30, 2026. The bill directly affects juveniles, their families, law enforcement officers, and school security personnel.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 establishes a new framework for Arizona public power entities (like municipal utilities) to finance infrastructure upgrades by issuing "Transition Bonds." These bonds are secured by future customer payments called "Financing Charges," which become nonbypassable fees added to all customers' utility bills until the costs are fully recovered. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "Financing Charges," "Qualified Special Purpose Entity," and "Transition Bonds," ensuring these payments cannot be avoided regardless of the customer's service provider or asset ownership. This mechanism allows public power entities to shift financing costs to customers over time rather than relying solely on traditional rate increases.

Maddy summarySB 1600, titled "Patient Rights; Health Care Services," defines core patient rights for anyone receiving healthcare in Arizona. It establishes that patients have the right to care prioritizing their best interest, avoiding harm, and requiring informed consent for medical decisions (except emergencies). The bill directly affects all patients receiving care from licensed health professionals in Arizona. However, the bill was passed by the legislature on May 7, 2025, but was vetoed by the governor on May 13, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1591 modifies Arizona's concealed weapons permit process by exempting state residents from application fees while requiring non-residents to pay a reasonable fee. It outlines specific eligibility requirements, including age, residency, criminal history checks, and proof of firearm competency, and specifies that permits are valid for five years (with extensions for military members deployed overseas). The bill also details procedures for permit suspension upon arrest for qualifying offenses and civil penalties for failing to present a permit during a law enforcement stop. The legislation was passed by the Arizona legislature on May 6, 2025, but was vetoed by the Governor on May 12, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 1282 creates a new offense called "aggravated unlawful flight" for drivers who recklessly endanger others while fleeing police. It classifies this as a class 4 felony generally, but elevates it to a class 2 felony if the driver causes serious injury, transports a minor under 15, or was already violating specific traffic laws (like driving under suspension). Convicted individuals in the class 2 felony scenario must serve at least four months in prison before becoming eligible for probation or early release. The bill directly affects drivers who flee law enforcement in a reckless manner, with stricter penalties for certain aggravating circumstances.

Maddy summarySB 1584, now vetoed by the Governor, requires Arizona state and local government agencies to hire public employees based solely on merit - defined as objective qualifications like skills, experience, and job performance - rather than factors like race, ethnicity, sex, or national origin. The bill prohibits policies that manipulate workforce composition based on protected characteristics, except to maintain color-blind, race-neutral hiring compliant with existing antidiscrimination laws. It allows legal action for violations, with prevailing parties entitled to attorney fees and costs. The bill would have directly affected all state and local government hiring practices in Arizona.

Maddy summarySB 1123, titled "watermark; paper ballots," requires ballot paper vendors in Arizona to hold specific ISO certifications (27001, 17025, or 9001:2015) and include at least three of ten specified security features - such as unique watermarks, holographic foils, specialized inks, or voter-tracked barcodes - in paper ballots. The bill directly affects ballot vendors and election officials responsible for ballot procurement, aiming to enhance ballot security through standardized anti-fraud measures. It repeals an existing statute and adds new requirements to Arizona Revised Statutes § 16-504. The bill passed the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on April 18, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 1106, titled "Ava's Law," modifies Arizona's public entity liability rules regarding sexual offenses. It clarifies that public entities (like schools or government agencies) generally cannot be held liable for sexual offenses committed by employees against minors or children with disabilities, **unless** the entity violated a duty to check employee backgrounds or failed to report known risks. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after December 31, 2027, and does not affect liability for vehicle-related incidents or emergency care. This bill focuses on defining specific circumstances where public entities may face liability, not broader policy changes.