Sen. Theresa Hatathlie

Maddy summarySB 1740 establishes Arizona's "turquoise alert" system to quickly notify the public about missing persons under 65 years old in suspected danger. Law enforcement agencies must meet specific criteria - like using all local resources, confirming suspicious circumstances, and having recovery-assisting information - before requesting an alert. The bill requires all law enforcement agencies to train relevant staff (including dispatchers and supervisors) on the alert system at hire and biannually, focusing on legal criteria and procedures for issuing alerts. This directly affects law enforcement personnel handling missing person cases across Arizona.

Maddy summarySB 1523 allocates $340,000 from Arizona's state general fund for the Navajo Nation to cover design, planning, and construction costs of the Ganado waterline pipeline project. The funds are specifically designated for the Navajo Nation community in Ganado, Arizona, to address water infrastructure needs. The bill includes an exemption from standard appropriation lapse rules, ensuring the funds remain available for the project even if not fully spent by the end of the fiscal year. This is a direct funding measure with no additional policy changes beyond the financial allocation.

Maddy summarySB 1487 extends the deadline for implementing Hopi Tribe special license plates in Arizona from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2026. It requires individuals to pay $32,000 to the state for these plates, with the payer designing the plates (subject to state approval). The bill specifies that $17 of the $25 plate fee goes directly to the Hopi Tribe’s public safety department for road maintenance and traffic control on tribal reservation roads. This program affects drivers purchasing Hopi plates and directs funds to tribal infrastructure, with retroactive application starting December 30, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1790 requires businesses that collect personal data from multiple sources (data brokers) to follow specific rules when handling sensitive information like biometrics, health details, genetic data, precise location tracking, and financial information. It prohibits selling or sharing sensitive data without explicit consent and mandates businesses to verify a child's age (under 16) before collecting their data. The law defines "sensitive data" broadly, including government IDs, health records, and private communications, while exempting deidentified data and publicly available information. It applies to any business collecting data linked to Arizona residents, creating new requirements for transparency and consent.

Maddy summarySB 1690 (visually impaired voters; access procedures) requires Arizona election officials to provide early ballots to blind or visually impaired voters, voters with print disabilities, and overseas/uniformed service voters through electronic means (like fax or internet) upon request. Voters can choose their preferred method for receiving ballot materials, and officials must send ballots by specific deadlines (no later than 45 days before an election for registered voters). The bill eliminates the need for paper ballots when electronic delivery is used and establishes emergency procedures for national or local crises affecting voting access. This directly affects eligible voters with visual impairments or print disabilities who need accessible ballot delivery options.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1788 requires insurers to disclose key details about homeowners' and renters' insurance policies, including coverage exclusions (like flood or mold), factors used to set premiums (such as property location or aerial imagery), and available discounts for safety improvements. The bill prohibits insurers from using a dog's breed as a sole factor in coverage decisions or pricing, and limits the use of aerial/satellite imagery to 180 days for underwriting. During declared state emergencies (e.g., wildfires), insurers cannot cancel policies for nonpayment within 60 days or refuse renewals for 12 months in affected areas. Additionally, insurers must provide 60 days' written notice with explanations for premium increases over 10% or significant coverage reductions.

Maddy summarySB 1685 establishes the Arizona Commission on Latino Affairs, a body tasked with advising state leadership and supporting Latino communities. The commission includes nine voting members (seven Latino, two non-Latino, appointed by the governor) and eight advisory members with expertise in education, health, civil rights, social services, and small business. Its key duties include advising the governor on policies affecting Latinos, developing recommendations for health, education, and economic programs, and producing an annual report to the legislature. The bill also creates a dedicated fund for the commission’s operations and mandates an annual "Latino Legislative Day" to honor community contributions and discuss issues.

Maddy summarySB 1694 requires Arizona charter schools receiving state funding to develop emergency response plans and conduct school safety assessments every five years using approved providers. It updates transparency rules to mandate posting meeting notices and public records online for all charter schools. The bill also prohibits for-profit organizations from establishing new charter schools after January 1, 2027. These provisions directly affect all Arizona charter schools operating under state funding programs.

Maddy summarySB 1735 appropriates $12.175 million from Arizona's state general fund for fiscal year 2026-2027 to improve Navajo Route 8090. The funds will support specific roadway upgrades including raising the road, drainage enhancements, graveling, and chip sealing, directly benefiting the Navajo Nation's transportation infrastructure. The appropriation is exempt from standard spending rules that would cause unused funds to lapse at year-end, ensuring the money remains available for the project.

Maddy summaryArizona's SB 1736 appropriates $10 million annually from the state general fund for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28 to the Navajo Nation's Department of Water Resources. The funds are specifically for surveying, designing, planning, and constructing the Navajo water pipeline project in the Fort Defiance region. This bill directly provides funding for the Navajo Nation's water infrastructure work, exempting the appropriations from standard state budget lapsing rules.