Sen. Janae Shamp

Maddy summaryHB 2447 creates a self-certification program for Arizona cities and towns, allowing licensed architects and engineers to certify that construction projects meet building codes without full city review. The law enables local governments to eliminate public hearings for certain administrative approvals (like site plans and design reviews) and offers expedited permit processing for applicants with strong compliance records. It requires that all standards be "objective" and verifiable, meaning decisions must rely on clear benchmarks, not personal judgment. This bill directly affects local building permit processes, reducing administrative delays for qualifying projects while shifting responsibility to certified professionals. The law was signed by the governor on March 31, 2025, making it effective immediately.

Maddy summaryHB 2115 makes it illegal to observe a nude minor solely for the purpose of sexual gratification, classifying this as a class 2 felony. The law directly affects individuals who engage in this conduct, applying to all minors regardless of age. This amendment to Arizona law (Section 13-3553) specifically adds "observing a nude minor for sexual gratification" as a new prohibited act under sexual exploitation of a minor charges.

Maddy summarySB 1061 allocates $128.5 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to provide a 15% salary increase for specific state employees. It directly affects correctional officers in the Department of Corrections and Department of Juvenile Corrections ($74.9 million total), all Department of Public Safety employees ($34 million), court staff (excluding judges) ($8.5 million), and probation officers ($10.2 million). The bill establishes concrete funding for these raises without altering existing laws or creating new programs. It is a straightforward appropriations measure focused solely on compensating covered employees through state budget allocations.

Maddy summarySB 1446 allocates $3 million from the state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to expand training opportunities for nurse anesthetist students in Arizona. It establishes a grant program through the Arizona State Board of Nursing to fund healthcare institutions (licensed under state law) that provide clinical rotations, with priority for obstetrics, pediatrics, cardiovascular, thoracic, and neurological care training. Grants cover direct and indirect costs but cannot replace existing program funding, limit indirect costs to 20% of the award, and require unused funds to be returned. This directly affects healthcare institutions training nurse anesthetist students and aims to increase capacity in high-need specialty areas. The bill passed in March 2025 and exempts the appropriation from standard lapse rules.

Maddy summarySB 1058 amends Arizona's retirement system rules to clarify reemployment policies for retired public employees, particularly affecting school resource officers. The bill establishes specific requirements for retirees returning to work within six months of retirement, including mandatory repayment of pension payments received during reemployment and restrictions on reinstating service credits. It creates an exemption for retired school resource officers who return to work, allowing them to retain pension benefits without repayment under certain conditions. The legislation also details procedures for repaying severance refunds if retirees return to the same employer within two years, requiring full repayment plus interest. These changes directly impact public employees who retire and later return to state or local government positions.

Maddy summarySB 1142 prohibits foreign corporations, persons, or foreign nongovernmental entities from contributing money or in-kind goods/services to influence Arizona ballot measure elections. It directly affects campaign committees, entities, and individuals filing campaign finance reports under Arizona law. The bill requires these filers to certify under penalty of perjury that they haven't accepted such foreign contributions. Tribal nations are explicitly exempt from these provisions, as stated in Section C of the bill.

Maddy summarySB 1312 creates a state-funded program to help people transitioning from county jails back into communities. It provides $20 million in grants to Arizona counties (excluding Maricopa and Pima) to establish coordinated reentry planning services in jails, connecting individuals with treatment, housing, and other support services early in the justice process. Key requirements include creating a cross-system database to track recidivism and service engagement, forming collaborative planning committees with law enforcement, courts, and service providers, and submitting annual reports on participant risks (like homelessness or lack of healthcare) and repeat offenses. Counties must demonstrate program implementation within two years of receiving funds, including dedicated staff and data-sharing agreements.

Maddy summarySB 1102 prevents pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from suddenly removing a prescription drug from coverage for patients already taking it, unless the drug is discontinued. It requires PBMs to provide 60 days' notice before changing drug coverage and establishes a streamlined process for doctors to request continued access to excluded medications. Patients must obtain approval through this exception process to keep using a drug that was previously covered but is now excluded from the formulary. The law applies to all health insurers and PBMs in Arizona, ensuring continuity of care for those on established prescriptions.

Maddy summarySB 1311 creates a new "West Valley Charity Special Plate" for Arizona vehicle owners. To implement this, a person must pay $32,000 to the state department upfront, then vehicle owners pay a $25 annual fee ($17 of which is donated to the West Valley Charity Special Plate Fund). The department issues the plates after design approval, and the fund receives all $17 annual donations from plate fees. This program affects Arizona drivers who choose this specialty plate, with the charity fund supporting West Valley community initiatives.

Maddy summarySB 1229 prohibits Arizona municipalities with over 70,000 residents from restricting home buyers' design choices or imposing certain development rules. It bans local requirements for shared amenities (like community pools), screening walls/fences, minimum lot sizes over 3,000 sq. ft. for new single-family homes, larger home size standards than other housing types, and excessive building setbacks (e.g., front setbacks over 10 feet, except for garages). The law directly affects home buyers, developers, and homeowners in qualifying cities by overriding local zoning and design regulations, while exempting building/fire codes, tribal land, and military zones. It applies only to new developments after the law’s effective date and does not affect existing housing or require municipalities to waive utility or safety standards.