Sen. David Gowan

Maddy summarySB 1080 establishes a joint legislative committee to review Arizona's individual and corporate income tax credit programs. The committee, composed of five House members (appointed by the Speaker) and five Senate members (appointed by the President), must evaluate each credit based on its revenue cost to the state, economic benefits like job creation, and administrative complexity. After reviewing credits annually, the committee recommends whether to keep, amend, or eliminate them and submits findings to lawmakers and the governor by December 15 each year. This process directly affects all existing tax credits, requiring regular assessment of their effectiveness and fiscal impact.

Maddy summarySB 1234 updates the Arizona Revised Statutes to provide clear definitions for terms used by the state board of pharmacy, specifically addressing modern practices like automated prescription-dispensing kiosks and virtual manufacturers. The bill clarifies existing language regarding compounding, controlled substances, and advertising to ensure consistent regulatory standards for pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. By establishing precise meanings for these concepts, the legislation aims to streamline how the board oversees pharmacy operations without changing current laws or creating new penalties. This measure primarily affects the state board of pharmacy and licensed pharmacy professionals by refining the legal framework they operate under.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new fees for individuals in Arizona who attend defensive driving schools to avoid traffic penalties. It requires courts to set a specific diversion fee and charge a mandatory $45 surcharge for each person attending such a school. The collected funds are directed to state agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, while an additional administrative fee of up to $15 is also imposed on participants. These financial obligations take effect starting May 31, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill establishes a new process for handling traffic violations captured by photo radar systems, allowing drivers to contest tickets without needing to identify themselves or respond to the initial notice. It mandates that law enforcement agencies, rather than private companies, must review the evidence before issuing a citation and requires specific warnings on notices that failure to respond could lead to additional fees. The legislation also introduces a $100 civil penalty option; if paid within ten days, the violation will not affect the driver's license status or auto insurance rates. Finally, the law changes how legal documents are served in these cases, permitting alternative methods like posting on a property door and explicitly prohibiting license suspension based solely on citations served this way.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Arizona's laws regarding sexual conduct with minors by clarifying the specific criminal classifications based on the victim's age and the severity of physical injury. It establishes that sexual acts with a child twelve or younger who suffers serious physical injury result in a life sentence without the possibility of parole, while also adjusting penalties for victims aged fifteen and older depending on whether the offender held a position of trust. The legislation directly affects individuals accused of these crimes by defining stricter sentencing guidelines and removing eligibility for early release in the most severe cases. By amending existing statutes, the law aims to provide clearer consequences for different scenarios of sexual misconduct involving minors.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific waiting periods before individuals convicted of sexual offenses can petition to end their lifetime probation, requiring a twenty-year wait for class 2 or 3 felonies and a ten-year wait for class 4, 5, or 6 felonies. It also mandates that probation departments investigate any current or pending criminal charges against the individual before recommending an early termination or modification of their sentence. The legislation prevents courts from granting probation termination if the person has unresolved criminal charges at the time of the request. Although passed by the legislature, the bill was vetoed by the Governor and did not become law.

Maddy summaryThis bill allows the Arizona State Land Department to accept bids for state land auctions through electronic means, such as online platforms. It directly affects bidders by permitting them to participate remotely and requires the department to include links or instructions in auction notices to access these electronic bidding options. The legislation also mandates that the department adopt specific rules to ensure internet access for online auctions, verify bidders have sufficient funds, and confirm their legal eligibility to bid. Additionally, the law clarifies that the department is not liable for technical failures caused by internet issues, acts of God, or other unforeseen events that prevent a bidder from participating. Finally, the bill requires the department to publish a report of each sale on its website and allows for the cancellation of a sale if circumstances change before a final bid is accepted.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a housing trust fund in Arizona to support affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households, with a specific requirement that a portion of the money be used exclusively for rural areas. The fund is financed through unclaimed property, transfers from other state accounts, and investment earnings, which the state treasurer will manage. Money from the fund can be used to build or renovate housing facilities and provide assistance for individuals with serious mental illness, while the director must prioritize projects that help families with children. The bill also mandates annual reports to the legislature detailing how the funds were spent and requires the department to consult with local governments before starting construction projects. Finally, the legislation exempts these funds from certain state appropriation rules and allows up to 10% of the fund to be used for administrative costs.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill creates a temporary study committee to investigate the state's potential use of gold and silver as currency and as investment assets. The committee will be composed of representatives from the state treasury, insurance department, accounting, law enforcement, and securities industries, with no compensation for their service. Its main task is to research prudent investment practices and fiduciary management for these metals before submitting a report with findings and recommendations to state leaders by November 2024. The entire committee and its authority are set to expire on September 30, 2025, after which the bill will no longer be in effect.

Maddy summarySB 1174 expands tuition waiver scholarships in Arizona for children and spouses of public safety and military personnel who died in the line of duty or from injuries sustained while traveling to or from work. The bill specifically includes individuals who suffered a posttraumatic stress injury and died by suicide, requiring verification from relevant memorial boards or the department of veterans' services. Eligible recipients can receive up to 64 credit hours at community colleges or enough credits for a bachelor's degree at universities, provided they meet age and marital status requirements. Additionally, the law extends these benefits to National Guard members with Purple Heart citations and veterans with significant service-connected disabilities.