Sen. Janae Shamp

Maddy summaryHB 2089 allows residents in Arizona groundwater basins designated as "subsequent active management areas" (SAMAs) to petition for removal of that designation after 10 years. It requires 10% of registered voters in the SAMA to file a petition within 180 days before a general election, triggering a review by the groundwater director on whether the designation remains necessary. If the director determines removal is appropriate, a vote is held; otherwise, the designation stays. The bill directly affects residents in SAMAs and was passed by the legislature in April 2025 but vetoed by the governor on April 15.

Maddy summaryHB 2086, vetoed by the Governor on April 15, 2025, proposed a county-administered program providing grants to low-income or fixed-income homeowners for specific water improvements. The bill would have allowed grants to deepen existing drinking water wells, install storage tanks for water hauling, or upgrade plumbing for water delivery systems at a residence. County boards would designate an operating entity (like a nonprofit or county department) to set eligibility criteria and manage funds, but prohibited using general county funds for the program. The bill required annual reports on program operations but never took effect due to the gubernatorial veto.

Maddy summaryHB 2164 prohibits Arizona public schools from serving or selling ultraprocessed foods during the school day, directly affecting school meal programs and cafeteria operations. The law defines "ultraprocessed food" as any item containing specific synthetic additives like certain dyes (e.g., Yellow #5, Red #40) or preservatives (e.g., potassium bromate), excluding foods parents provide to their own children. The Arizona Department of Education may create implementing rules but is not required to mandate specific alternatives. Signed into law on April 14, 2025, this policy aims to improve school meal nutrition by limiting low-nutrient processed foods.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona law (HB 2114) changes how sexual acts with minors are classified and punished under state law. It creates stricter felony classifications based on the minor’s age and the offender’s circumstances: sexual conduct with a minor under 12 who suffers serious injury is now a life sentence with no parole, while acts with minors under 15 are class 2 felonies. For minors aged 15 or older, penalties range from class 6 (standard) to class 4 (if offender is over 20) or class 2 (if offender was in a position of trust, with no probation or early release allowed). The law directly affects individuals convicted of sexual acts with minors, imposing mandatory jail time in some cases and eliminating eligibility for early release in the most severe scenarios. The bill was signed into law in April 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1437 requires school employees (including teachers, substitute teachers, and administrators) to immediately report suspected child abuse, neglect, or physical injury of minors they reasonably believe occurred. It expands mandatory reporting duties to cover school personnel who develop such reasonable beliefs during their employment, while maintaining exemptions for clergy confessions and accidental playground injuries during school hours. The law mandates immediate electronic or phone reports containing specific details (minor’s identity, nature of harm, etc.) to child safety authorities, and allows school staff to take photographs or arrange forensic interviews during investigations. It also clarifies that school administrators must report only if they believe a required reporter hasn’t already done so, and specifies that medical records must be shared confidentially with investigators upon written request.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1495 requires the state's National Guard to stay within Arizona unless Congress formally declares war or takes specific action under the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8, Clause 15) to call the Guard for specific purposes like enforcing federal law or repelling invasion. The bill defines "active duty combat" as participating in armed conflict, performing hazardous duties related to conflict abroad, or using "instrumentality of war." It mandates the governor to ensure compliance with these requirements before deploying the Guard. This bill directly affects Arizona's National Guard deployment decisions and the governor's authority to release troops. The measure is procedural, focusing on constitutional requirements for Guard mobilization.

Maddy summaryThis is a symbolic resolution (not a law) passed by Arizona lawmakers expressing support for the Palo Verde Generating Station nuclear power plant and nuclear energy. It highlights Palo Verde's role as Arizona's largest clean energy source, economic contributor ($2.3 billion impact), and employer (3,000+ jobs), while noting public support for nuclear power. The resolution has no legal effect but formally endorses continued nuclear energy use and directs the Secretary of State to send copies to federal officials. It does not create new policies, funding, or regulations.

Maddy summaryHB 2087 appropriates $________ from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to clean and restore specific artificial groundwater recharge facilities. It directly affects the state department responsible for water management and communities relying on these facilities in designated groundwater basins that also provide flood control benefits. The bill requires funding only for facilities meeting two criteria: being in a state-designated groundwater management area and offering flood control. The appropriation is exempt from standard rules requiring annual reauthorization. This bill focuses solely on funding mechanisms, not policy changes to water management.

Maddy summaryHB 2855 declares that drug cartels operating in Arizona are terrorist organizations under state law. It defines "drug cartel" to include groups involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking, or terrorism, and requires the Arizona Department of Homeland Security to address the threat they pose. The bill explicitly states this definition does not affect individuals' claims for asylum under federal law. This legislation aims to empower state agencies to combat border-related criminal activity, based on voter-approved findings about public safety concerns linked to transnational cartels.

Maddy summarySB 1060 requires Arizona employers (like police departments) to provide law enforcement officers with specific notice and procedural protections during internal investigations that could lead to discipline. It mandates written notice of allegations 24 hours before interviews (with limited exceptions), allows officers to have a representative present (not an attorney), permits officers to record their own interviews, and grants time to consult with their representative after the interview. The law also requires employers to share a summary of similar past disciplinary actions if they seek discipline against an officer. These provisions apply to most internal investigations but exclude routine supervisor interactions, preliminary questioning, and criminal investigations. The bill became law after passing the legislature and being signed by the governor in March 2025.