Sen. Shawnna Bolick

Maddy summarySB 1671 strengthens conflict-of-interest rules for Arizona officials regulating gaming, racing, and boxing. It requires directors, commissioners, and staff to annually disclose financial interests (including family members’ ties) and prohibits holding stakes in racetracks, boxing events, or gambling operations. The bill also creates a public complaint tracking system for gaming/racing issues and sets the Arizona Racing Commission and Arizona State Boxing Commission to terminate on July 1, 2032, with full repeal by January 1, 2033. These changes directly affect state regulators in these industries and aim to increase transparency through mandatory disclosures and complaint monitoring.

Maddy summarySB 1669 restricts the use of a sexual assault victim's past sexual history as evidence in court, generally barring reputation or opinion evidence about their chastity. It allows limited exceptions only for evidence about the victim's past sexual conduct with the defendant, specific instances showing the source of physical evidence (like semen or pregnancy), evidence supporting a motive for false accusations, impeachment of the victim, or prior false allegations against others. Before any such evidence can be presented, a judge must hold a pretrial hearing and determine admissibility using the "clear and convincing evidence" standard. This law directly affects criminal trials for sexual offenses under Arizona statutes (including sections 13-1421, 13-3212, and chapter 35), aiming to limit prejudicial questioning of victims.

Maddy summarySB 1662 (Arizona Revised Statutes §13-901) requires courts to impose probation conditions that are "reasonably necessary" for public safety, rehabilitation, and helping defendants live lawfully - using validated risk assessments to tailor requirements to individual needs. It mandates probation officers to waive unnecessary standard conditions and justify any special condition as the least restrictive option needed to meet these goals. The bill also establishes a $65 monthly probation fee (waivable for indigent individuals) to fund adult probation services, with fees directed to county probation funds. These changes directly affect individuals on probation in Arizona courts by standardizing how conditions are set and funded.

Maddy summarySB 1664 amends Arizona law to establish specific signature requirements for candidates running for various elected offices. It sets fixed percentages (ranging from 0.25% to 10%) of eligible voters or registered voters needed on nomination petitions, depending on the office - for example, 0.5% of district voters for U.S. House candidates or 1% for county judges. The bill also sets maximum signature limits (like 1,000 for community college districts) and specifies how voter registration totals are calculated for each office type. This procedural change directly affects all candidates seeking state, local, or school district offices by standardizing ballot access requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1670 establishes state preemption over occupational licensing for certain trades in Arizona, preventing municipalities and counties from imposing additional licensing requirements beyond the state system. It specifically prohibits local governments from requiring a "journeyman license" for workers already covered under state licensing (Title 32, Chapter 10), except for five occupations: plumbing, pipe fitting, mechanical trades, HVAC installation, and electrical/alarm system trades. The bill defines "licensure" broadly to include any training, test, or fee beyond basic state requirements, but limits local authority to only those five specified trades. This directly affects contractors and workers in those fields by standardizing licensing rules across the state.

Maddy summarySB 1210 modifies Arizona's regulations for out-of-state private colleges offering online programs to Arizona residents. It requires these institutions to obtain "out-of-state registration" from Arizona's State Board for Private Postsecondary Education if they are not part of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This applies specifically to colleges without a physical presence in Arizona that enroll residents in online courses. The bill does not affect institutions with physical facilities in Arizona or those already participating in NC-SARA. The key change is creating a new authorization process for non-NC-SARA online providers targeting Arizona students.

Maddy summarySB 1475 prohibits Arizona students from participating in school-sponsored sports or activities if they have been convicted of, admitted to, or pleaded no contest to certain serious criminal offenses - including aggravated assault, sexual exploitation of minors, domestic violence, or stalking - or are charged with such offenses while awaiting trial. School districts must require students to certify their criminal history using a provided form and bar participation during pending cases for these offenses. The bill directly affects students facing these specific legal consequences and mandates school districts to implement these eligibility rules. It does not change criminal sentencing but modifies school participation policies based on defined criminal conduct.

Maddy summarySB 1326 strengthens victims' rights in Arizona criminal cases by allowing victims to directly enforce their constitutional rights in court without paying filing fees. It gives victims the right to hire their own lawyers (at their expense), recover damages from government entities that violate their rights, and receive court-ordered attorney fees from parties who breach those rights - including fees for free legal aid or pro bono attorneys. The law applies to all pending or new criminal cases after its effective date. This clarifies victims' standing to challenge rights violations and ensures their legal representation is included in relevant court proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 1145 requires the State Board of Psychologist Examiners to include two behavior analysts in professional practice as voting members (who must also serve on a dedicated committee for behavior analysts). The bill mandates that the board must seek and consider the committee's recommendations on all licensing, regulatory, and practice-related decisions affecting behavior analysts before taking action. This directly impacts licensed behavior analysts in Arizona by ensuring their professional input shapes regulatory rules and standards. The change formalizes existing advisory roles into a structured requirement under Arizona law.

Maddy summarySB 1476 modifies Arizona law to address child neglect cases involving prenatal substance exposure. It creates an affirmative defense for mothers who completed alcohol or drug treatment during pregnancy, preventing them from being charged with child neglect for that specific conduct. The bill specifies that child neglect related to untreated prenatal substance use remains a class 6 felony, but the defense applies if treatment was completed. This directly affects mothers facing neglect charges due to substance use during pregnancy who have accessed treatment services. The policy change shifts legal consequences for a defined subset of cases without altering general neglect definitions.