Sen. Hildy Angius

Maddy summaryHB 2736 establishes a five-year pilot program requiring Arizona state agencies to implement and upgrade data encryption systems meeting strict security criteria. It directly affects the Secretary of State, Department of Revenue, Department of Administration, and the Legislature, each implementing the system in sequential fiscal years starting in 2026. The bill mandates that encryption systems must be U.S.-owned, quantum-proof, use U.S. patents, allow key resets without third-party access, and include detailed audit trails. The Department of Administration must report annually on progress and security, with a final evaluation due in 2031, and the program expires June 30, 2032.

Maddy summarySB 1442 allocates $25 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to fund new or retrofitted secure behavioral health residential facilities. It directly affects licensed facilities serving two specific populations: individuals with serious mental illness who are chronically treatment-resistant (court-ordered under A.R.S. § 36-550.09) or those committed via court order (A.R.S. § 13-4521). Funds must be used solely for facility construction or retrofitting, with recipients required to measure clinical outcomes, independent living skills, program participation, and physical health metrics. Facilities must report these results annually to state leadership, and the appropriation is exempt from standard funding lapsing rules. The bill requires a request for proposals by January 2026, prioritizing facilities that can open within 12 months and meet geographic needs.

Maddy summarySB 1532 allocates $15 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2025-2026 to increase outpatient behavioral health payment rates by 5% for providers like clinics and therapists. It requires the Arizona health care cost containment system to report by November 2025 on how these rate increases are distributed to health plans. The bill also directs the system to seek input from providers on which specific mental health service codes (e.g., therapy sessions) should receive the 5% rate adjustment. This directly affects behavioral health providers by raising their reimbursement rates for outpatient services.

Maddy summarySB 1306 allocates $2,594,840 from Arizona's general fund for the fiscal year 2025-2026 to the existing Law Enforcement Crime Victim Notification Fund. This fund, established under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-2414, directly supports crime victim notification services provided by law enforcement. The bill provides dedicated funding to ensure consistent support for notifying victims of criminal cases, without creating new programs or altering eligibility. The appropriation is exempt from standard state budget lapse rules, guaranteeing the funds remain available for the specified purpose.

Maddy summarySB 1439 allocates $400,000 annually from Arizona's general fund to the state Department of Corrections for its braille transcription program, doubling the current $200,000 yearly budget. This funding directly supports incarcerated individuals who rely on braille materials for access to reading and educational resources. The bill establishes this increased amount as ongoing funding for future fiscal years, ensuring sustained support beyond the current allocation. It does not create new requirements but secures stable financial resources for an existing program serving inmates with visual impairments.

Maddy summarySB 1450 establishes a study committee to examine Arizona's scrap metal theft laws. The committee, composed of law enforcement officers, scrap metal dealers, impacted community members, and a Maricopa County prosecutor, will assess whether current regulations deter crime, evaluate industry compliance costs, and review penalties by December 2025. The bill does not change existing laws but requires a final report to state leaders. The committee expires automatically on December 31, 2025, after submitting its findings.

Maddy summarySB 1067 allocates $2 million from the state general fund for the Auditor General to purchase software that audits state agencies and school districts. The bill specifically exempts this funding from standard appropriation deadlines under Arizona law. It directly affects the Auditor General's office and the entities they audit, including school districts. The bill passed the Senate on March 10, 2025, and was referred to the House for further consideration. (Note: The bill's title mentions "community college districts; tax rate," but the actual text concerns audit software funding, not tax rate changes.)

Maddy summarySB 1625 requires Arizona schools and districts to publicly share detailed financial data through a new transparency portal and annual website postings. Starting in 2021-2022, charter schools, individual school districts, and district schools must post their previous year's general ledger online by October 1 each year, showing exactly how money is spent (including teacher pay, supplies, and vendor payments) and where it came from (federal, state, local). The portal, developed by a third-party contractor with education finance expertise, will display school-level revenue, spending comparisons, and demographic data to help parents and communities understand funding. This law directly affects all Arizona public schools by mandating clear, standardized financial reporting to improve accountability.

Maddy summaryHB 2635 amends Arizona's tax code to add new sales tax exemptions for specific items. It exempts sales of "cash equivalents" (like gift cards, stored-value cards, and prepaid digital payment tools) and "precious metal bullion" (refined gold, silver, etc.) from retail sales tax. The bill defines "cash equivalents" as pre-paid items denominated in money redeemable for goods/services, excluding telecom prepaids, and clarifies that "monetized bullion" (coins used as currency) is exempt. This directly affects retailers selling these items, removing tax liability on such transactions. The bill focuses solely on tax policy, with no provisions related to firearm storage devices as inaccurately suggested in the title.

Maddy summaryThis bill would have amended Arizona election law to change how counties establish polling places and manage voting locations. It required counties to set precinct boundaries by October 1 before elections, with specific rules for combining precincts or using voting centers where any voter can cast a ballot with ID. The bill also mandated that public schools provide space for polling places unless a principal denies it for safety or space reasons, and created procedures for emergency voting centers during elections. It directly affected county election officials, public schools, and voters across Arizona.