Sen. Hildy Angius

Maddy summaryHB 2961 creates "returning warrior" special license plates for Arizona vehicle owners who pay a $32,000 one-time fee to design the plate. The department issues these plates after receiving the fee, with the plate design subject to department approval. Annual fees include a $17 donation to the "returning warrior special plate fund" (established by this bill), while $8 covers administration. This affects veterans or others who choose this plate option, directing funds to the specified fund rather than general state revenue.

Maddy summaryHB 2677 amends Arizona law to specifically prohibit preventing someone from entering or exiting a place of worship through physical blocking, detention, or force/threats. This directly affects individuals or entities who obstruct access to religious sites, such as security personnel or others blocking entrances. The bill classifies this act as a class 6 felony (unless the victim is safely released before arrest, making it a misdemeanor), adding it as a specific scenario under unlawful imprisonment. It defines "place of worship" per existing law and clarifies that this provision applies to the specific act of hindering religious access.

Maddy summarySB 1117 appropriates state funds from the general budget for the Arizona Department of Public Safety's crime lab to process and test evidence. This funding specifically supports law enforcement agencies in counties with populations under one million residents. The bill allocates resources for fiscal year 2026-2027 to cover crime lab services, ensuring smaller counties can access forensic analysis without direct local costs. It is a straightforward funding measure with no policy changes, solely providing financial support for existing crime lab operations.

Maddy summaryHB 2393 prohibits selling or giving tobacco products, alternative nicotine products (like e-cigarettes), vapor products, or related paraphernalia (e.g., hookahs) to anyone under 21 in Arizona. Minors who buy, possess, or falsely claim age to obtain these items face petty offenses with fines starting at $100 or 30 hours of community service. Businesses violating the law face escalating penalties: first violations incur $500-$750 fines plus mandatory education, while repeat offenses can lead to misdemeanor charges, $10,000 fines, or even felony convictions with sales bans. The law exempts religious use of shisha and gifts not intended for minor use.

Maddy summarySB 1304 requires Arizona county sheriffs and state correctional facilities to assess prisoners showing signs of mental illness within 24 hours. It mandates immediate continuation of prescribed medications upon jail intake and requires sheriffs to request serious mental illness designation within seven days for diagnosed prisoners. The bill also establishes court procedures for transferring prisoners to treatment facilities when mental health needs require it, including notice and hearing requirements. These provisions apply to all prisoners in county jails or state facilities with diagnosed or suspected mental health conditions. The law focuses on ensuring consistent mental health treatment during incarceration, without altering criminal proceedings.

Maddy summaryHB 2377 sets new rules for employment contracts and evaluations of school leaders in Arizona. It limits superintendent and principal contracts to three years (with a 15-month notice period before renewal) and requires school districts to offer equal non-salary benefits to all staff, not just leadership. The bill also mandates annual performance evaluations for principals and school psychologists, including improvement plans and appeal processes. School districts must formally offer new contracts by May 15 (or June 15 if an override election occurs) and provide performance records to other districts for hiring. These changes directly affect superintendents, principals, and school psychologists in Arizona public and charter schools.

Maddy summaryHB 2387 prohibits school district officials in districts with over 500 students from holding secondary outside jobs that pay compensation. It specifically targets officials with budget control, procurement authority, or operational leadership roles (including superintendents and CFOs), excluding only district duties or passive investments. The bill allows parents of enrolled students, residents, or others harmed by violations to sue school districts for enforcement. This directly affects top administrators in larger Arizona school districts by restricting their ability to work outside their primary school roles.

Maddy summaryHB 2678 adds a new exemption to Arizona's retail sales tax code, removing sales tax on diapers and feminine hygiene products. This directly affects consumers who purchase these essential items and retailers selling them. The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 42-5061 to explicitly exempt "diapers and feminine hygiene products" from the state's retail sales tax, aligning with similar exemptions for items like food and medical supplies. The change applies to all qualifying products sold within Arizona, effective upon enactment.

Maddy summarySB 1150 requires all Arizona family court judges to complete 40 hours of mandatory training on domestic violence, sexual assault, post-traumatic stress disorder, and mental health conditions. This training aims to improve judges' understanding of these issues when handling family court cases. The bill directly affects judges serving in Arizona's family courts by establishing specific educational requirements for their professional development.

Maddy summaryThis bill modifies Arizona's budgeting rules for cities and towns, allowing them to amend their adopted budgets during the fiscal year to spend additional revenues not included in the original budget. It removes the requirement to finalize such amendments by the third Monday in July and prohibits using these amendments to create new or higher taxes or fees. The amended budget must still stay within the total spending limits set by the published revised estimates. This change directly affects Arizona cities and towns managing their annual budgets.