Sen. Brian Fernandez

Maddy summaryArizona Senate Bill 1485 updates the rules for the state's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs), which provide funds to eligible students for private education. The bill clarifies that parents must use these funds primarily for core academic subjects and explicitly prohibits using the money to pay for a student's transportation or to purchase general computer hardware like televisions or video game consoles. It also expands allowable expenses to include specific educational therapies, assistive technology, and vocational training for students who meet certain eligibility criteria. Additionally, the legislation reinforces restrictions by forbidding parents from simultaneously holding an ESA and a scholarship from a tuition organization or filing a homeschooling affidavit for the same student.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new financial reporting and audit requirements for qualified schools in Arizona that accept payments from parent empowerment scholarship accounts. While the legislation maintains that these schools cannot be forced to change their curriculum or practices to participate in the program, it mandates that they comply with specific financial transparency rules. The state board of education must develop minimum financial performance standards and reporting formats similar to those used for public school districts, and a financial transparency portal will be created to publish this data. Additionally, the bill clarifies that in legal challenges regarding the law's application, the state must prove the regulations are necessary and do not impose undue burdens on these schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill extends the existence of the board of directors for the Arizona State Schools for the Deaf and the Blind until July 1, 2033, ensuring continued oversight for sensory-impaired children. It achieves this by repealing a previous statute that would have ended the board's term earlier and adding a new provision that sets the specific termination date and outlines when related laws will be removed. The legislation also includes a statement of purpose confirming that the legislature intends to maintain adequate educational opportunities for these students during this extended period.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes changes to Arizona's laws regarding English language education for students in public schools and charter schools. It would repeal existing statutes and replace them with new requirements for identifying students whose primary language is not English and assessing their proficiency through standardized tests. Under the new rules, schools must provide specific daily amounts of English language instruction based on the student's grade level and ensure access to research-based programs. Additionally, the bill grants parents the legal right to sue schools if they fail to provide the mandated quality of education, with provisions for attorney fees and damages. The state board of education would be responsible for adopting and approving specific instructional models that meet these new standards.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill establishes a formal licensure system for anesthesiologist assistants, allowing them to legally practice under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited program, pass a national certification exam, and pay required fees, with licenses valid for two years. The law defines the specific medical tasks these assistants can perform, such as developing anesthesia care plans, evaluating patients, and administering medications, while ensuring a supervising anesthesiologist remains immediately available to intervene if necessary.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill mandates that cities with over 75,000 residents must allow homeowners to build attached and detached accessory dwelling units on their property. It sets specific rules for these units, such as limiting their size to 75% of the main home's area or 1,000 square feet, and requires them to be permitted without needing special approvals. The law also restricts local governments from imposing certain conditions, such as demanding familial relationships between owners and tenants, requiring extra parking, or forcing units to match the exterior design of the primary home. Additionally, the bill preempts local control over vacation rentals by prohibiting cities from banning them entirely, though it allows for basic health, safety, and zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill requires cities with at least 75,000 residents to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in specific areas by January 1, 2026. Local governments must permit these middle housing types on all single-family lots near downtown areas and on at least 20% of new developments covering more than 10 contiguous acres. The law also prevents cities from imposing stricter rules on these housing types than those applied to single-family homes, such as requiring owner occupancy or excessive parking. Municipalities that fail to update their zoning regulations by the deadline must automatically allow middle housing on all single-family lots without limitations. Several exceptions exist for unincorporated areas, regions lacking water and sewer services, and lands near airports.