Sen. Tim Dunn

Maddy summarySB 1565 establishes a residential contractors' recovery fund in Arizona, administered by the state registrar, to compensate individuals and entities damaged by licensed residential contractors who violated state licensing rules. The fund covers eligible claimants including homeowners who occupy their primary residence, certain trusts or LLCs where members live there, planned communities for common-area damage, and tenants who contracted directly with the contractor. Compensation is limited to actual repair costs or refunded deposits (up to $40,000 per claim), excluding commercial properties, attorney fees, and amounts recovered elsewhere. To qualify, the contractor must have been properly licensed at the time of contract signing, payment, or work commencement.

Maddy summaryHB 2961 creates "returning warrior" special license plates for Arizona vehicle owners who pay a $32,000 one-time fee to design the plate. The department issues these plates after receiving the fee, with the plate design subject to department approval. Annual fees include a $17 donation to the "returning warrior special plate fund" (established by this bill), while $8 covers administration. This affects veterans or others who choose this plate option, directing funds to the specified fund rather than general state revenue.

Maddy summarySB 1197 allows landowners with existing irrigation water rights in Arizona to transfer the water allocation for land they are not irrigating to other farmers within the same groundwater management area. This means a farmer who stops irrigating part of their land can sell, lease, or transfer the unused water right for that portion to another irrigator in the same zone. Transfers must be reported to the state agency using a form detailing the non-irrigated acres, intended irrigation locations, and transfer terms like lease duration. The bill increases flexibility in water use without altering the underlying water rights structure.

Maddy summarySB 1288 modifies Arizona's process for issuing "certificates of assured water supply" needed for development projects. It allows the director to accept groundwater analyses or availability determinations made before May 31, 2023, as valid proof of water supply, after adjusting for existing certificates. Developers applying for these certificates must submit a sworn statement agreeing to reduce the reserved groundwater volume by 15% after approval. The bill ensures consistency by requiring certificates to use the same water usage estimates in place when the original analysis was issued, directly affecting developers and water providers managing groundwater rights.

Maddy summaryHB 2704 redirects 82% of certain tax revenues to county stadium districts starting in 2026. Specifically, it directs the state treasurer to transfer these funds annually from tax revenues reported under Section 43-209, subsection D to the county stadium district fund established under Section 48-4231. This allocation applies to tax revenues collected under Title 42, Chapter 5 (transaction privilege tax) and runs from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2056. The bill directly affects county stadium districts by creating a dedicated, long-term funding source for stadium-related projects and operations.

Maddy summarySB 1517 amends Arizona's temporary registration rules for off-highway vehicles (OHVs) and establishes a study committee to examine OHV-related issues. The bill clarifies the definition of an OHV to include specific requirements (e.g., max 2,500-pound empty weight, 80-inch width) and limits temporary registrations to 30 days per vehicle annually. It also creates a 13-member committee - including agency directors, industry representatives, and public members - to study OHV management and submit annual reports to the governor and legislature, with the committee dissolving after May 31, 2027. The bill, signed into law in June 2025, applies retroactively to May 2025 and directly affects OHV owners, rental companies, and agencies managing trails and recreation.

Maddy summarySB 1656 terminates Arizona's Board of Massage Therapy on July 1, 2027, and establishes a study committee to examine whether the board should continue in its current form, combine with other boards, or make structural changes. The committee, including legislators, massage therapy representatives, law enforcement, and licensing boards, will study issues like background check processes, an IT system implemented in 2025, and whether requiring establishment licenses could combat sex trafficking. It must submit recommendations by December 31, 2026, to the legislature. The bill directly affects licensed massage therapists, massage therapy schools, and state licensing oversight, but does not change current licensing requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2679 establishes a new framework for Arizona public power entities (like municipal utilities) to finance infrastructure upgrades by issuing "Transition Bonds." These bonds are secured by future customer payments called "Financing Charges," which become nonbypassable fees added to all customers' utility bills until the costs are fully recovered. The bill creates specific definitions for terms like "Financing Charges," "Qualified Special Purpose Entity," and "Transition Bonds," ensuring these payments cannot be avoided regardless of the customer's service provider or asset ownership. This mechanism allows public power entities to shift financing costs to customers over time rather than relying solely on traditional rate increases.

Maddy summarySB 1600, titled "Patient Rights; Health Care Services," defines core patient rights for anyone receiving healthcare in Arizona. It establishes that patients have the right to care prioritizing their best interest, avoiding harm, and requiring informed consent for medical decisions (except emergencies). The bill directly affects all patients receiving care from licensed health professionals in Arizona. However, the bill was passed by the legislature on May 7, 2025, but was vetoed by the governor on May 13, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1661 creates a new type of public district authority in Arizona counties with populations between 200,000 and 210,000 to improve broadband infrastructure. It allows these districts to secure funding through grants or user fees (not new taxes) to expand high-speed internet access, but explicitly prohibits deploying residential broadband service. The districts are governed by a 5-7 member board representing stakeholders, responsible for managing infrastructure projects, setting performance goals, and reporting annually. This bill directly affects residents and businesses in qualifying counties by establishing a structured way to fund and oversee broadband improvements, without creating new tax authority for the districts.