Sen. Lela Alston

Maddy summaryThis bill appropriates $25 million from Arizona's state general fund for the Housing Trust Fund in fiscal year 2025-2026 to support affordable housing. It directly affects landlords who receive payments from this fund for rent owed by tenants, prohibiting them from filing, finalizing, or enforcing legal actions against those tenants for the unpaid rent. The key provision ensures that when the state fund covers rent payments to landlords, tenants cannot face eviction or legal penalties for that specific debt. This creates a direct financial protection for tenants with rent arrears who qualify for assistance through the Housing Trust Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 2466 clarifies that candidate committees in Arizona may legally use campaign funds to cover direct caregiving expenses for a candidate’s child or other dependent they personally care for, such as childcare costs. This specifically affects candidates with caregiving responsibilities who use committee funds for these essential needs. The bill amends Arizona’s campaign finance law (ARS § 16-921) to explicitly list caregiver expenses as an exempt expenditure, aligning with existing rules. The legislature states this is a clarifying change, not a substantive policy shift. It does not expand exemptions beyond this specific provision.

Maddy summarySB 1189 adds a 10% annual interest rate to unpaid criminal restitution orders in Arizona, affecting victims of crimes who are owed payments and defendants ordered to pay restitution. The bill specifies that interest accrues on unpaid balances for both juvenile and adult cases, with the state collecting interest at 4% when enforcing restitution on behalf of victims. Restitution orders, once issued, are enforced as civil judgments without renewal requirements and expire only when fully paid. This change clarifies enforcement mechanisms for court-ordered payments to victims, ensuring consistent interest collection on outstanding amounts.

Maddy summarySB 1192 establishes automatic voter registration for Arizona residents applying for or renewing driver’s licenses or nonoperating ID cards at the Department of Transportation, with an opt-out option within 21 days. It also allows same-day voter registration during the 28 days before an election or on election day at polling places, requiring proof of residence and using provisional ballots for that election. The bill mandates that registration information be sent to county recorders within 5 days, and specifies that new registrations qualify for federal, statewide, county, and legislative races but not partisan primaries for 29 days after registration. It updates Arizona Revised Statutes sections 16-106 (voter registration timing) and 16-112 (driver license registration procedures), effective December 31, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1195 updates Arizona's ballot handling and return procedures to clarify who may collect or deliver ballots and ensure valid submission. It requires election officials to provide clear instructions stating that only voters, family members, household members, or caregivers may handle or return ballots (prohibiting third-party collection). The bill revises mail ballot envelopes to include signature requirements and specifies that ballots must be returned to county offices or polling places by 7:00 p.m. election day (with updated options for 2026). It also reinforces felony penalties for violations, including offering payment for ballots or misrepresenting ballot collection services.

Maddy summarySB 1137 sets July 1, 2033, as the termination date for Arizona's Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESA) program, which provides state-funded scholarships for private school tuition and educational expenses. The bill mandates a comprehensive program review and performance audit to be completed by October 1, 2032, assessing the program's effectiveness, management efficiency, and whether it meets its original goals. This review includes a draft report for the administering department to comment on, a public hearing, and an audit of program outcomes by the state auditor. The legislature must pass and the governor must sign a continuation bill before July 1, 2033, for the program to continue; otherwise, it ends on that date. The law governing the program will be repealed after December 31, 2033.

Maddy summarySB 1138 establishes a school safety program in Arizona that provides state funding for school districts and charter schools to hire school psychologists, counselors, and social workers. Schools applying for this funding must submit detailed proposals describing safety needs, outlining how they'll implement counseling programs with community partnerships, and including parent communication plans and confidentiality policies. The program requires schools to evaluate the effectiveness of their counseling services and report annually to state officials. This directly affects Arizona public schools seeking mental health support staff, focusing on creating safer learning environments through counseling resources rather than security personnel. The bill mandates specific program requirements and annual reporting to ensure accountability for funded mental health services.

Maddy summarySB 1139 sets new requirements for staff at Arizona schools participating in the state’s Education Savings Account (ESA) program. It mandates that all personnel providing academic instruction must have either a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, three years of teaching experience, or specialized subject-matter expertise. The bill specifically applies to schools accepting ESA payments, affecting both paid employees and certain non-employee instructors directly teaching students. It does not alter existing requirements for public schools but adds these standards for ESA-participating schools.

Maddy summarySB 1140 establishes Arizona's "Homeless Recovery Telehealth Pilot Program," creating a public-private partnership to provide telehealth services for homeless individuals with mental health or addiction needs. The program requires the state health department to select a single telehealth provider via competitive bidding to set up access points in shelters and healthcare facilities, track patient outcomes, and maintain secure data. Key provisions include requiring the provider to share 5-10% of annual revenue with the state, creating a statewide homeless census, and developing personalized recovery plans. The $10 million state appropriation (fiscal year 2025-2026) funds the five-year pilot, which will be evaluated for potential expansion by 2033.

Maddy summaryHB 2460 amends Arizona's children's health insurance program (CHIP) eligibility rules by adjusting income thresholds for children under 19. It sets the following income limits relative to the federal poverty level: 200% for 1999-2023, 225% (with CMS approval) for 2023-2025, and 300% starting October 1, 2025. The bill directly affects low-income Arizona families with children under 19 whose household income meets these revised thresholds. It does not change program benefits or structure, only the income eligibility percentages. The amendment is part of defining program terms in Arizona Revised Statutes Section 36-2981.