Sen. Janae Shamp

Maddy summarySB 1123, titled "watermark; paper ballots," requires ballot paper vendors in Arizona to hold specific ISO certifications (27001, 17025, or 9001:2015) and include at least three of ten specified security features - such as unique watermarks, holographic foils, specialized inks, or voter-tracked barcodes - in paper ballots. The bill directly affects ballot vendors and election officials responsible for ballot procurement, aiming to enhance ballot security through standardized anti-fraud measures. It repeals an existing statute and adds new requirements to Arizona Revised Statutes § 16-504. The bill passed the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on April 18, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 2733 grants legal immunity to Arizona government agencies and employees (like law enforcement) who intercept, disable, or destroy unmanned aircraft (drones) within 30 miles of the state's international border. It protects them from liability for injuries caused during these actions unless they intentionally harmed someone or were grossly negligent. The law specifically applies to drone operators (defined as anyone controlling a drone, including owners or groups acting together) and covers contractors working for government entities. This bill directly affects border enforcement practices and drone operators operating near Arizona's international border.

Maddy summarySB 1106, titled "Ava's Law," modifies Arizona's public entity liability rules regarding sexual offenses. It clarifies that public entities (like schools or government agencies) generally cannot be held liable for sexual offenses committed by employees against minors or children with disabilities, **unless** the entity violated a duty to check employee backgrounds or failed to report known risks. The law applies only to offenses occurring on or after December 31, 2027, and does not affect liability for vehicle-related incidents or emergency care. This bill focuses on defining specific circumstances where public entities may face liability, not broader policy changes.

Maddy summarySB 1585 increases sentencing for certain serious crimes against children in Arizona. It mandates life imprisonment without parole for adults convicted of commercial sexual exploitation of minors or child sex trafficking with a prior conviction, and requires a minimum 35-year sentence for other severe offenses like sexual assault of children under 12. For repeat offenders, sentences increase significantly (e.g., 23-37 years for first-time offenses involving minors under 12). The bill affects adult offenders convicted of specific child crimes, including sex trafficking, sexual assault, or drug offenses involving minors, and specifies sentencing ranges based on the crime and prior convictions. It does not create new offenses but modifies penalties under existing Arizona law.

Maddy summarySB 1333 creates a "foster youth permanency pilot project team" to help Arizona children in foster care achieve permanent living arrangements before aging out of the system. The team reviews each child’s case, identifies barriers to permanency (like unmet needs or lack of family connections), and develops tailored action plans with input from the child, caregivers, and legal representatives. It directly affects youth at risk of leaving foster care without a permanent home, particularly those turning 18 or entering extended foster care. The team can access agency resources, contract with specialists (like family locators or legal experts), and must protect youth privacy while working toward permanency. The bill also updates foster home licensing rules but focuses primarily on this new support mechanism.

Maddy summaryHB 2083 amends Arizona's Game and Fish Commission membership rules. It requires the governor to appoint five commission members who must include at least one cattleman or rancher, with no more than three from the same political party and no two members from the same county. The bill also specifies that members serve five-year terms, receive compensation from the game and fish fund, and must attend at least quarterly meetings. This bill directly affects how the commission is structured and who can serve on it, without changing wildlife management policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2094 amends Arizona law to clarify the definition of "contiguous" for real estate purposes. It specifies that contiguous land parcels share a common boundary or are separated only by a private road, while excluding parcels divided by natural/man-made barriers or publicly maintained roads (like highways used by the public for five+ years). This definition directly affects real estate developers, brokers, and sellers when marketing land, particularly in master-planned communities where multiple subdivisions might be promoted together. The change aims to resolve ambiguity in how land parcels are grouped for sales and marketing under existing regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2090 prohibits individuals or groups from acting together to divide a single parcel of land into six or more lots within ten years, which would bypass standard land subdivision regulations. This directly affects property owners, developers, and real estate entities who might attempt to circumvent rules through multiple transactions or owners. The law specifies exceptions for family relationships, well-sharing agreements, road maintenance agreements, and using the same contractor in counties under 500,000 residents. It clarifies that either the county or the state real estate department can enforce this rule, but not both, while updating related land division approval processes.

Maddy summaryHB 2165 requires Arizona's Department of Economic Security to seek a federal waiver from the USDA to prohibit SNAP (food stamp) benefits from being used to purchase candy, soft drinks, or similar sugary items. If approved, SNAP recipients in Arizona would be barred from buying these items with their benefits; if denied, the state must reapply annually until granted. The bill defines "candy" as sugar-based treats and "soft drinks" as non-alcoholic sweetened beverages (excluding milk-based drinks or those with over 50% juice). This legislation aims to modify Arizona's SNAP program participation under federal rules without changing current federal policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2088 amends Arizona's groundwater management laws to establish procedures for designating new "subsequent active management areas" (SAMAs) and removing them. It allows the director to create SAMAs where groundwater preservation, land subsidence, or water quality issues require action, and to remove SAMAs if these conditions no longer exist. The bill requires public hearings with 30-60 day notice, detailed map and boundary descriptions, and written findings within 30 days of hearings. These changes directly affect landowners and water users in areas meeting the specified groundwater criteria, with all decisions subject to public review and judicial oversight.