Sen. Sally Gonzales

Maddy summarySB 1740 establishes Arizona's "turquoise alert" system to quickly notify the public about missing persons under 65 years old in suspected danger. Law enforcement agencies must meet specific criteria - like using all local resources, confirming suspicious circumstances, and having recovery-assisting information - before requesting an alert. The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to train relevant staff (including dispatchers and supervisors) on the alert system at hire and biannually, focusing on legal criteria and procedures for issuing alerts. This directly affects law enforcement personnel handling missing person cases across Arizona.

Maddy summaryHB 2681 amends Arizona's civil service dismissal procedures to clarify appeal rights for classified state employees. It requires written notice of dismissal/suspension with specific reasons, allows a 10-day appeal window to the commission, and mandates a hearing within 20 days. The bill specifies public hearings unless closed for cause, permits changing hearing officers due to prejudice, and states commission decisions are final. It applies to dismissals/suspensions but excludes budget-related furloughs.

Maddy summaryHB 4135 creates a new child care tax credit for Arizona taxpayers with children under five who use certified child care providers. The credit provides $2,000 per child for families with federal adjusted gross income of $75,000 or less, and $1,000 for incomes between $75,000 and $150,000 annually. A total of $15 million in credits is available each year on a first-come, first-served basis, with excess credits paid as refunds. The credit applies to tax returns filed for 2026 and later, supporting working families seeking quality early childhood care.

Maddy summaryHB 4073 sets new requirements for gestational surrogacy agreements in Arizona. It mandates that surrogates and intended parents complete medical and mental health evaluations by specific licensed professionals, obtain independent legal counsel, and sign agreements transferring parental rights immediately at birth. The agreements must disclose financial responsibilities, confirm no parental claims by surrogates or their spouses, and include specific acknowledgments of parental duties. These provisions apply to all surrogacy arrangements where at least one party is an Arizona resident or the birth occurs in Arizona.

Maddy summarySB 1690 (visually impaired voters; access procedures) requires Arizona election officials to provide early ballots to blind or visually impaired voters, voters with print disabilities, and overseas/uniformed service voters through electronic means (like fax or internet) upon request. Voters can choose their preferred method for receiving ballot materials, and officials must send ballots by specific deadlines (no later than 45 days before an election for registered voters). The bill eliminates the need for paper ballots when electronic delivery is used and establishes emergency procedures for national or local crises affecting voting access. This directly affects eligible voters with visual impairments or print disabilities who need accessible ballot delivery options.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1773 requires all peace officers in the state to wear body-worn cameras during public contacts starting July 1, 2028, with limited exceptions (e.g., undercover work, court appearances, or avoiding unrelated personal information). The bill mandates camera activation during calls for service or public interactions, imposes disciplinary consequences for intentional failure to activate or tampering with footage - including certification suspension or revocation for misconduct involving civilian deaths - and establishes a 21-day public release timeline for unedited footage in misconduct complaints. It also requires law enforcement agencies to follow state retention schedules and redact sensitive content (like sexual assault footage) to protect privacy while enabling public access. The law applies directly to all local police departments, the Department of Public Safety, and peace officers employed by them.

Maddy summarySB 1685 establishes the Arizona Commission on Latino Affairs, a body tasked with advising state leadership and supporting Latino communities. The commission includes nine voting members (seven Latino, two non-Latino, appointed by the governor) and eight advisory members with expertise in education, health, civil rights, social services, and small business. Its key duties include advising the governor on policies affecting Latinos, developing recommendations for health, education, and economic programs, and producing an annual report to the legislature. The bill also creates a dedicated fund for the commission’s operations and mandates an annual "Latino Legislative Day" to honor community contributions and discuss issues.

Maddy summarySB 1774 automatically restores voting rights for Arizona residents who completed probation or prison time for their first felony conviction, without requiring them to file an application. This applies after "final discharge" (completion of probation or absolute release from prison), provided they've paid all victim restitution. Other civil rights (like jury service) are restored automatically only if restitution is paid, but voting rights are restored regardless of restitution payment. The bill does not change firearm rights, which remain restricted for certain serious offenses and require separate court processes. This replaces the previous system where individuals had to apply for voting rights restoration.

Maddy summarySB 1694 requires Arizona charter schools receiving state funding to develop emergency response plans and conduct school safety assessments every five years using approved providers. It updates transparency rules to mandate posting meeting notices and public records online for all charter schools. The bill also prohibits for-profit organizations from establishing new charter schools after January 1, 2027. These provisions directly affect all Arizona charter schools operating under state funding programs.

Maddy summarySB 1735 appropriates $12.175 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to improve Navajo Route 8090. The funds will support specific roadway upgrades including raising the road, drainage enhancements, graveling, and chip sealing, directly benefiting the Navajo Nation's transportation infrastructure. The appropriation is exempt from standard spending rules that would cause unused funds to lapse at year-end, ensuring the money remains available for the project.