Sen. Shawnna Bolick

Maddy summarySB 1271 standardizes the physical design and layout of Arizona ballots. It requires ballots to use black ink on white paper with specific formatting, including a clear "official ballot" heading, election details, and standardized instructions for marking votes. The bill mandates separate partisan and nonpartisan sections with candidate names arranged by party order (based on past election results) and adds rules for writing in names of candidates not listed. It does not change voting procedures, add new voting rights, or involve identification numbers or funding (despite the title's reference to "identification number" and "appropriation"). This procedural bill affects election officials who print ballots, not voters.

Maddy summarySB 1625 requires Arizona schools and districts to publicly share detailed financial data through a new transparency portal and annual website postings. Starting in 2021-2022, charter schools, individual school districts, and district schools must post their previous year's general ledger online by October 1 each year, showing exactly how money is spent (including teacher pay, supplies, and vendor payments) and where it came from (federal, state, local). The portal, developed by a third-party contractor with education finance expertise, will display school-level revenue, spending comparisons, and demographic data to help parents and communities understand funding. This law directly affects all Arizona public schools by mandating clear, standardized financial reporting to improve accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 amends Arizona's tax code to add new sales tax exemptions for specific items. It exempts sales of "cash equivalents" (like gift cards, stored-value cards, and prepaid digital payment tools) and "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, etc.) from retail sales tax. The bill defines "cash equivalents" as pre-paid items denominated in money redeemable for goods/services, excluding telecom prepaids, and clarifies that "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) is exempt. This directly affects retailers selling these items, removing tax liability on such transactions. The bill focuses solely on tax policy, with no provisions related to firearm storage devices as inaccurately suggested in the title.

Maddy summarySB 1228 imposes a temporary moratorium on new housing regulations in Arizona, preventing municipalities from adopting or enforcing new rules for single-family homes, subdivisions, or planned developments from its effective date through June 30, 2028. The law only allows new regulations that protect public health/safety or reduce construction costs. It directly affects local governments (cities and towns) by restricting their ability to create new housing development standards during this period. The bill expires on June 30, 2028, and stems from legislative findings that non-essential regulations are worsening Arizona's housing shortage and affordability crisis.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have amended Arizona election law to change how counties establish polling places and manage voting locations. It required counties to set precinct boundaries by October 1 before elections, with specific rules for combining precincts or using voting centers where any voter can cast a ballot with ID. The bill also mandated that public schools provide space for polling places unless a principal denies it for safety or space reasons, and created procedures for emergency voting centers during elections. It directly affected county election officials, public schools, and voters across Arizona.

Maddy summarySB 1528 requires Arizona public schools to implement a statewide child sexual abuse prevention program by October 2026. The program mandates age-appropriate student materials for K-12 teaching skills like recognizing abuse, promoting disclosure, and reducing self-blame, alongside teacher training on prevention and response. Schools must also adopt uniform reporting procedures for incidents and provide victim support resources. Parents can exempt their children from participation with written notice, as specified in Section C of the bill.

Maddy summarySB 1630 establishes a study committee to examine issues affecting Arizona inmates aged 55+ who are aging within the state correctional system. The committee, composed of legislative members, corrections and healthcare officials, and community representatives (including a former inmate or family member), will research release programs, healthcare access, and transitions to long-term care. It must develop recommendations for a step-by-step release plan and a healthcare roadmap, submitting a final report to state leaders by December 31, 2025. This is a procedural bill creating a study body - not a policy change - and directly affects aging incarcerated individuals in Arizona.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health professionals in Arizona to clearly disclose their actual license type and current board certification status in all advertisements. It mandates that they name the certifying agency when claiming certification, and prohibits false claims about certification. The rule applies to all promotional materials like billboards, websites, and brochures - but not to standard network provider listings. Violations would be considered unprofessional conduct under state law.

Maddy summarySB 1628 establishes Arizona's Supportive Housing Pilot Program, which provides stable housing with integrated mental health services, substance use treatment, and job training to individuals experiencing chronic homelessness, particularly those with mental health or substance use disorders. The program funds small dormitory-style housing (10-20 residents per facility) with communal spaces, requires trauma-informed staff training, and connects participants to case managers for resource coordination. It sets specific targets: reducing chronic homelessness among participants by 75% within three years, securing employment or job training for 60% of participants, and maintaining housing for 85% of participants for two years. The program requires annual reports to state leadership by December 31 each year and expires December 31, 2030.

Maddy summaryThis constitutional amendment would require school districts to obtain at least 60% voter approval for bond issues, instead of a simple majority. It directly affects school districts seeking to fund projects like building construction or renovations through bonds, and the voters in those districts who cast ballots on such proposals. If approved by voters, it would amend Arizona's constitution to implement this higher approval threshold for school bond elections.