Sen. David Gowan

Maddy summaryHB 2448 updates Arizona's election rules for voting locations. It allows counties to combine polling places for efficiency, establishes procedures for emergency voting centers during elections (including updated voter registration at these sites), and requires school principals to provide written reasons if denying polling space. The bill also mandates that government-owned buildings be made available for voting locations starting in 2026. These changes directly affect local election officials and voters by altering where and how elections are conducted.

Maddy summarySB 1157 amends Arizona's workers' compensation law to apply existing death benefit rules retroactively to spouses of first responders, effective December 31, 2023. It directly affects spouses of law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, and volunteer first responders acting in official capacity. The bill does not change benefit calculations (e.g., percentages for spouses or children) but ensures these rules apply to first responders' spouses for deaths occurring after the retroactive date. It specifically defines "first responder" to include volunteers operating under governmental emergency response authority. The legislation passed in June 2025 and applies to cases where the deceased was a first responder.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases burial expense coverage for workers' compensation death benefits from $10,000 to $15,000. It updates benefit formulas for survivors, including specific percentages of the deceased's average monthly wage for spouses (35-66.67%), children (31.67% plus spouse's share), and dependent parents or siblings. The changes apply retroactively to December 31, 2023, specifically for spouses of first responders (law enforcement, firefighters, paramedics, and volunteer responders acting for government entities). Benefits for children continue until age 18 or 22 if enrolled full-time in school, and payments cease upon marriage, death, or when a child becomes self-supporting.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1109 prohibits foreign principals (including governments, businesses, or individuals from countries identified by U.S. intelligence as posing national security risks) from owning or acquiring most real property in Arizona. Exceptions allow small residential parcels (≤2 acres) for natural persons with valid U.S. visas, provided the property is not near military sites or critical infrastructure. The Attorney General enforces the law, and courts can order the sale of illegally held property, with proceeds distributed to lienholders, the state, and the original owner. The bill directly affects foreign entities from designated countries but exempts existing owners and specific residential purchases meeting strict conditions.

Maddy summarySB 1711 establishes a study committee to examine whether Arizona's Medicaid program (AHCCCS) should extend coverage for comprehensive obesity treatment. The committee, composed of legislative members, health officials, patient advocates, and medical professionals, will study the cost, effectiveness, and value of this coverage for AHCCCS enrollees living with obesity. It must identify resource needs, propose policy improvements, and submit a report to state leaders by December 31, 2025. The committee will dissolve after its report is submitted, with the bill repealing itself on September 30, 2026.

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 1287 amends Arizona's Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) definitions to clarify how part-time employment affects retirement benefits. It specifies that part-time service counts toward retirement credit "on a pro rata basis" when employees make contributions to the fund. This directly affects public safety employees (like police and firefighters) who work part-time and contribute to PSPRS, ensuring their part-time service is proportionally counted toward retirement eligibility. The change provides clear guidance for calculating credited service, without altering contribution rates or benefit formulas.

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 1353 requires Arizona municipalities to establish standardized procedures for reviewing land subdivisions. It mandates that developers submit water supply certifications for projects in designated areas, pay fees covering review costs, and provide performance bonds to ensure utilities meet design standards. The law directly affects developers seeking to build new residential or commercial subdivisions and city officials responsible for plat approvals. Key provisions include uniform rules for engineering plans, minimum utility design standards, and requirements for reserving land for parks or public facilities.

Maddy summarySB 1351 makes it a class 4 felony to steal or fraudulently obtain physical or digital gift cards or their information (e.g., by taking them without permission or exploiting the issuer). It also classifies forging gift cards as forgery, raising the penalty to a class 4 felony unless used in connection with a "drop house" (property for smuggling), which becomes a class 3 felony. The law directly affects individuals who commit gift card theft or forgery, treating these acts as serious criminal offenses. It clarifies that both the theft and forgery of gift cards are covered under existing felony classifications. The bill was signed into law by the governor in May 2025.