Sen. Rosanna Gabaldón

Maddy summaryHB 2443 redirects unclaimed property funds (from abandoned assets like forgotten bank accounts) to Arizona's housing programs. It requires 55% of these funds to go to the state Housing Trust Fund, with at least 40% of that portion specifically for developing housing in rural areas. Additional allocations include $2 million annually to a mental health housing fund and $24.5 million yearly to an administrative fund. The bill does not directly affect individuals but changes how state funds from unclaimed property are distributed to support housing initiatives.

Maddy summaryHB 2461 establishes Arizona's state-run family and medical leave insurance program, providing wage replacement benefits to eligible workers. It directly affects employees who meet specific wage requirements (based on past earnings) or self-employed individuals who elect coverage, allowing them to take paid leave for qualifying reasons like childbirth, caring for a family member with a serious health condition, personal medical needs requiring hospitalization, military family exigencies, or safe leave related to domestic violence or stalking. Benefits cover up to 26 weeks for personal medical needs (e.g., childbirth recovery) or 24 weeks for other qualifying reasons, with payments starting within two weeks of a claim filing. The program, effective January 1, 2028, is administered by Arizona's Industrial Commission.

Maddy summaryHB 2458 requires Arizona prisons to provide free medical care and feminine hygiene products to female inmates, with specific exemptions for pregnant inmates from paying medical fees, prescriptions, or hygiene costs. The bill mandates that prison staff explain the consequences of refusing non-life-threatening medical treatment and document any refusal in writing, while prohibiting denial of care due to financial reasons. It explicitly exempts pregnant inmates from all medical and health service fees (including prescriptions) and ensures they receive necessary feminine hygiene products at no cost. These provisions directly affect incarcerated women in Arizona, particularly pregnant inmates, by improving access to essential healthcare services.

Maddy summarySB 1186 prohibits Arizona landlords from discriminating against tenants based on their source of income, such as government housing vouchers (e.g., Section 8), Social Security, veterans benefits, or other public assistance. It bans landlords from refusing rentals, evicting, charging more, or denying services solely because a tenant uses these income sources, and requires them to count rent vouchers toward income eligibility thresholds. The law defines "source of income" broadly to include federal, state, and private assistance programs. Violations can be enforced by the Attorney General under existing housing discrimination laws.

Maddy summarySB 1190 creates "community college access and success special plates" in Arizona. Community colleges must pay a $32,000 implementation fee to the state to offer these plates, which will feature a design similar to pre-1992 collegiate plates (with possible district-specific adjustments). Vehicle owners pay a $25 annual fee for the plates, with $17 of that amount designated as a donation to a community college fund. The plates can be combined with personalized plate requests, and the Arizona Department of Transportation will issue them under specified design and fee rules.

Maddy summaryThis bill limits rental application fees in Arizona by prohibiting landlords from charging more than one fee per tenant application. Landlords cannot charge additional fees for property visits before or after submitting an application. The law directly affects renters seeking housing and landlords who rent residential properties in Arizona. It sets a clear maximum fee structure to prevent multiple charges for the same application process.

Maddy summaryHB 2476 sets aside $100 million from Arizona's general fund for the water conservation grant fund during fiscal year 2025-2026. This funding supports local projects that reduce water waste, such as upgrading infrastructure or promoting efficient irrigation practices. It directly benefits municipalities, water districts, and other entities applying for these grants under Arizona law. The bill provides concrete financial resources for water conservation initiatives without creating new regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1188 bans price hikes of 25% or more for essential goods and services (like food, medicine, or utilities) during declared emergencies when market disruptions occur - such as natural disasters, power outages, or civil unrest. It applies to all sellers in the supply chain, from manufacturers to retailers, and requires the attorney general to enforce the rule. Violations are classified as misdemeanors, with intentional violations carrying harsher penalties. The law only takes effect when a governor declares a state of emergency for the disruption.

Maddy summaryHB 2444 repeals a specific outdated provision (Section 9-461.16) from Arizona's zoning code while amending Section 9-462.01 to clarify existing zoning regulations. The bill directly affects Arizona municipalities that use these zoning codes for land use planning, including regulations on residential development, historical districts, and age-restricted communities. It makes no new policy changes but updates the legal text to remove redundant language and streamline the process for municipalities to adopt zoning rules. This is a technical correction to the state's zoning statutes, not a substantive change to housing policy.

Maddy summarySB 1177 repeals Arizona statutes (33-1329 and 33-1416) that previously blocked cities from enacting local rent regulation policies. This bill would remove state-level restrictions, allowing municipalities to establish their own rent control or tenant protection measures. It directly affects landlords and tenants in Arizona cities that may choose to implement local rent rules. The bill does not create new regulations but changes the legal framework for local policy options.