Sen. Janae Shamp

Maddy summarySB 1591 modifies Arizona's concealed weapons permit process by exempting state residents from application fees while requiring non-residents to pay a reasonable fee. It outlines specific eligibility requirements, including age, residency, criminal history checks, and proof of firearm competency, and specifies that permits are valid for five years (with extensions for military members deployed overseas). The bill also details procedures for permit suspension upon arrest for qualifying offenses and civil penalties for failing to present a permit during a law enforcement stop. The legislation was passed by the Arizona legislature on May 6, 2025, but was vetoed by the Governor on May 12, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summarySB 1310 creates penalties for recording false or forged documents claiming ownership or liens on Arizona real property. Property owners can sue for at least $5,000 or triple actual damages (whichever is greater) plus attorney fees if someone records invalid claims. Individuals who knowingly file such documents and refuse to correct them within 20 days after a written request face $1,000 minimum penalties or triple damages. The bill classifies these violations as class 1 misdemeanors or felonies and was passed by the legislature but vetoed by the governor on May 12, 2025.

Maddy summaryHCR 2044 is a non-binding resolution passed by Arizona's legislature affirming the state's mineral resources (including copper, uranium, and others) as critical to national security, economic growth, and the transition to green energy. It calls on federal and state governments to streamline mining permitting, support domestic production, and reduce reliance on foreign mineral imports. The resolution does not create new laws but formally expresses legislative support for policies fostering Arizona's mining industry and a domestic supply chain for critical minerals. It directly addresses government agencies and policymakers, not specific businesses or residents.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1590 requires health insurers to cover behavioral therapy for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) without excluding coverage based solely on an ASD diagnosis. It mandates coverage for medically necessary behavioral therapy services (provided by licensed professionals) with annual limits: $50,000 for children under nine and $25,000 for ages nine to sixteen. The law applies to group health plans but excludes individual plans, small employers, and out-of-state services. It does not eliminate cost-sharing like deductibles but ensures insurers cannot deny coverage for ASD-related treatment or therapy.

Maddy summaryHB 2121 would have required most working-age Arizona residents (under 60) receiving SNAP benefits to join a state-approved work or job training program, unless they met specific exemptions like caring for young children, being a full-time student, working 30+ hours weekly, or participating in addiction treatment. The bill aligned with federal SNAP rules (7 U.S.C. § 2015(d)) but added Arizona-specific implementation through the Department of Economic Security. Exemptions included parents of children under six, students enrolled half-time, and those already meeting federal work registration requirements. The bill passed the Arizona legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on May 6, 2025, preventing it from becoming law.

Maddy summaryArizona's HB 2122 prohibits the state's Department of Economic Security from seeking or accepting federal waivers for SNAP (food assistance) work requirements for able-bodied adults without dependents unless specifically authorized by Arizona state law. It also blocks the department from granting exemptions to these work requirements under federal law without prior state authorization. The bill directly affects how Arizona administers its SNAP program by requiring legislative approval for any waiver or exemption related to work requirements. The bill passed the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the governor on May 6, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2450 adjusts Arizona's unemployment insurance benefit duration based on the previous quarter's unemployment rate. It replaces a fixed 26-week maximum with a variable system: beneficiaries receive 16-26 times their weekly benefit amount depending on whether the unemployment rate was 5.5%-6%, 6%-6.5%, 6.5%-7%, 7%-7.5%, 7.5%-8%, or above 8%. The bill also caps total annual benefits at one-third of the claimant's base period earnings. This bill directly affects unemployed Arizonans seeking state unemployment benefits and was passed by the legislature in April 2025 but vetoed by the governor on May 6, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1235 amends Arizona statutes governing membership on three health regulatory boards (podiatry, chiropractic, and dental). It standardizes requirements including mandatory fingerprint-based criminal background checks for all members, specifies composition rules (e.g., requiring some members to be retired practitioners or laypersons), and sets term lengths and vacancy procedures. The bill directly affects the boards themselves by defining who can serve and how appointments are handled, with no changes to patient care standards or licensing requirements. Key mechanisms include requiring criminal checks via state/federal databases, limiting consecutive terms, and clarifying how vacancies are filled. The bill focuses solely on procedural governance of these boards, not on healthcare policy or patient outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis bill amended Arizona law to define "plant" as including non-thermal electric generating units (like solar or wind farms) with a capacity of 200 megawatts or more, alongside existing thermal units. It directly affects large-scale energy developers and the Corporation Commission, which regulates such facilities. The change clarifies which projects fall under the Commission's jurisdiction for siting and environmental review, without creating new requirements. The bill passed the legislature in April 2025 but was vetoed by the Governor on May 2, 2025, so it did not become law.

Maddy summarySB 1626 requires Arizona health insurers to include standardized notices about dispute resolution for "surprise" out-of-network medical bills in patient billing statements. It directly affects patients who receive unexpected out-of-network care and healthcare providers billing for such services. The law mandates that insurers provide clear written notices explaining how to dispute these bills, and directs the state department to post online resources about what constitutes a surprise bill and how to resolve disputes. This applies only to bills not covered by the federal No Surprises Act, ensuring Arizona’s process complements existing federal protections.