Sen. Sally Gonzales

Maddy summaryHB 2789 requires construction projects designed to reach at least 60 feet above ground level or 48 feet below ground level to include a functional elevator for employee use. The elevator must be installed and operational once the structure reaches 36 feet in height, measured from ground level to the highest point of the structure (excluding antennas, smokestacks, and similar attachments). This bill directly affects construction companies building large-scale projects in Arizona, mandating elevator access for workers before significant height is achieved. The law specifies exact height measurements and what structures count toward those measurements to clarify compliance.

Maddy summaryHB 2812 modifies Arizona law to expand in-state tuition eligibility for certain students. It allows individuals who attended Arizona high school (public, private, or homeschool) for at least two years and graduated in-state - regardless of immigration status - to qualify for in-state tuition at Arizona universities or community colleges. The bill specifically clarifies that people without lawful immigration status meet the residency requirements under this provision. It does not change requirements for nonimmigrant visa holders (e.g., students on F-1 visas). The amendment requires a three-fourths legislative vote for implementation.

Maddy summarySB 1681 establishes a 2021 gaming compact trust fund to mitigate impacts from tribal gaming activities and provide economic benefits to eligible Arizona tribes. The fund, financed by tribal contributions under the 2021 gaming compact amendments, must be used exclusively for tribal mitigation and benefits, with strict rules preventing commingling with state funds. It requires the Department of Gaming to issue annual detailed reports showing all fund deposits, disbursements, and tribe-specific allocations to tribes, the governor, and legislative leaders. The bill also modifies event wagering licensing rules, allowing up to 10 licenses for tribes meeting specific compact requirements.

Maddy summarySB 1646 allocates $112.45 million from Arizona's general fund and $78.65 million in federal child care funds for the Department of Economic Security to provide child care assistance. The funding supports low-income families who qualify for state child care assistance programs. It directly affects eligible families by ensuring continued access to subsidized child care services. The bill specifies the exact funding amounts and sources for the 2025-2026 fiscal year without changing eligibility rules or program structure.

Maddy summarySB 1668 requires health insurers in Arizona to cover essential health benefits - including hospital care, mental health services, preventive care, and prescription drugs - without cost-sharing for recommended preventive services. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage, charging higher premiums, or imposing annual/lifetime limits based on preexisting conditions or health status, and mandates that dependent coverage continues until age 26. The law applies to individual, short-term, and small employer group health plans, and requires clear disclosures for short-term insurance about coverage gaps compared to federal standards. This bill aims to standardize comprehensive coverage and prevent discriminatory practices by insurers.

Maddy summarySB 1678 requires all Arizona state agencies to hire a tribal liaison from a recognized Arizona tribe to improve communication between the agency and tribal communities. The bill directly affects state agencies (such as health, education, or environmental departments) and tribal nations within Arizona. It mandates that each agency employ this liaison to facilitate dialogue and address tribal concerns, creating a formal channel for tribal engagement with state government. This is a procedural requirement focused on structural communication, not policy changes to laws or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2790 requires employers in agriculture, construction, landscaping, oil/gas extraction, airport work, mail/delivery, and heavy-material transportation to implement heat illness prevention measures. It mandates free access to cool water with ice (at least one cup every 15-20 minutes above 80°F), shade or climate-controlled areas within 400 feet of workspaces, and paid rest periods based on temperature. Employers must monitor workers for heat symptoms, establish emergency response protocols, and gradually acclimate new hires to hot conditions. The law directly affects outdoor and indoor workers in these high-risk industries during heat events.

Maddy summarySB 1672 repeals Arizona's requirement for mandatory inclusionary zoning, which would have mandated that new residential developments include a certain percentage of affordable housing units. The bill prohibits municipalities from enacting or enforcing such mandatory affordable housing requirements in zoning regulations. It directly affects local governments that previously had inclusionary zoning policies and developers who would have been subject to these requirements. By removing this specific regulatory tool, the bill shifts the approach to housing affordability in Arizona without imposing new development mandates.

Maddy summarySB 1664 establishes jurisdiction rules for child custody cases involving Indian children in Arizona. It requires state courts to transfer custody cases to tribal courts when an Indian child resides or is domiciled on a reservation, or to transfer cases to tribal courts for children not on reservation unless specific prohibited reasons exist (like the case being advanced or negative perceptions of tribal systems). The bill ensures Indian tribes and Indian custodians can intervene in all such proceedings and mandates that Arizona courts give full legal recognition to tribal court decisions on child custody. This directly affects Indian children, their tribes, parents, and Arizona state courts handling custody cases.

Maddy summarySB 1682 requires Arizona's Department of Corrections (ADOC) to create a dedicated budget for prisoner education programs in all state prisons. This budget must fund literacy, GED preparation, vocational training, and postsecondary education in key industries like healthcare, technology, and construction. The bill prohibits using these funds for death row, life imprisonment, or maximum custody inmates, except for those under 18 or with disabilities under 22. It also mandates ADOC to provide these educational programs to all inmates and submit an annual report detailing prison conditions, staff data, and inmate activities.