Sen. Sonny Borrelli

Maddy summarySB 1174 expands tuition waiver scholarships in Arizona for children and spouses of public safety and military personnel who died in the line of duty or from injuries sustained while traveling to or from work. The bill specifically includes individuals who suffered a posttraumatic stress injury and died by suicide, requiring verification from relevant memorial boards or the department of veterans' services. Eligible recipients can receive up to 64 credit hours at community colleges or enough credits for a bachelor's degree at universities, provided they meet age and marital status requirements. Additionally, the law extends these benefits to National Guard members with Purple Heart citations and veterans with significant service-connected disabilities.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the sale of four specific private property parcels in Phoenix to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. It grants the state's consent for the transfer of these lands, which are located on Devonshire Avenue and North 7th Street, for use by the federal government. The legislation includes the precise legal descriptions of the properties and is designated as an emergency measure to take effect immediately upon signing.

Maddy summaryThis bill proposes to declare drug cartels as terrorist organizations within Arizona state law. It directs the Department of Homeland Security to take all actions within its authority to address the threat posed by these groups. The legislation defines a drug cartel as an association involved in human smuggling, drug trafficking for profit, or acts of terrorism, and defines a threat as anything harming individual rights or public safety. If approved by voters, this change would formally categorize drug cartels alongside terrorist organizations for legal and enforcement purposes.

Maddy summaryHB 2681 establishes a dedicated real estate information technology fund in Arizona to finance software upgrades, equipment purchases, and external vendor contracts for the state's real estate department. The bill directs specific portions of real estate license and renewal fees into this fund, starting with $25 per fee through fiscal year 2027-2028 and reducing to $15 per fee beginning in fiscal year 2028-2029. These collected monies are excluded from the general fee-setting process used to balance the department's overall budget, ensuring they are reserved exclusively for technological needs. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that funds in this account are continuously appropriated and cannot be used to replace staff salaries.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill establishes a formal licensure system for anesthesiologist assistants, allowing them to legally practice under the supervision of a licensed anesthesiologist. To obtain a license, applicants must graduate from an accredited program, pass a national certification exam, and pay required fees, with licenses valid for two years. The law defines the specific medical tasks these assistants can perform, such as developing anesthesia care plans, evaluating patients, and administering medications, while ensuring a supervising anesthesiologist remains immediately available to intervene if necessary.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes specific dates for holding local elections in Arizona, including those for bond measures, to consolidate voting on a limited number of days. It mandates that most local elections, such as those for schools and special districts, occur on the second Tuesday in March, the third Tuesday in May, or the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. The legislation also requires that bond election orders be published or posted at least fifteen to thirty days before the vote and sets a threshold of sixty percent voter approval for issuing tax-secured bonds. Additionally, the bill clarifies that bond election expenses must be paid from current operating funds rather than the bond proceeds themselves.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill mandates that cities with over 75,000 residents must allow homeowners to build attached and detached accessory dwelling units on their property. It sets specific rules for these units, such as limiting their size to 75% of the main home's area or 1,000 square feet, and requires them to be permitted without needing special approvals. The law also restricts local governments from imposing certain conditions, such as demanding familial relationships between owners and tenants, requiring extra parking, or forcing units to match the exterior design of the primary home. Additionally, the bill preempts local control over vacation rentals by prohibiting cities from banning them entirely, though it allows for basic health, safety, and zoning regulations.

Maddy summaryThis Arizona bill requires cities with at least 75,000 residents to allow duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and townhomes in specific areas by January 1, 2026. Local governments must permit these middle housing types on all single-family lots near downtown areas and on at least 20% of new developments covering more than 10 contiguous acres. The law also prevents cities from imposing stricter rules on these housing types than those applied to single-family homes, such as requiring owner occupancy or excessive parking. Municipalities that fail to update their zoning regulations by the deadline must automatically allow middle housing on all single-family lots without limitations. Several exceptions exist for unincorporated areas, regions lacking water and sewer services, and lands near airports.