Sen. Mitzi Epstein

Maddy summaryThis bill, if approved by Arizona voters, would increase the state's minimum wage to $12 per hour starting January 1, 2020, with annual inflation adjustments beginning in 2028 based on the consumer price index. It would allow employers to pay tipped workers a base wage up to $3 less per hour than the minimum wage if tips make up the difference, but this exception would end on January 1, 2030, requiring full minimum wage payment for all workers thereafter. The measure directly affects Arizona workers, particularly low-wage and tipped employees, and aims to provide a wage floor that rises with living costs.

Maddy summaryHB 2474 updates Arizona's legal terminology by replacing the terms "legal resident alien" and "alien" with "noncitizen" in two sections of the Arizona Revised Statutes. Specifically, it amends Section 4-202 (liquor license qualifications) and Section 5-301 (watercraft regulations definitions) to use "noncitizen" consistently. The bill does not change eligibility requirements for liquor licenses or watercraft permits; it only revises the language to modernize and clarify statutory references. This is a procedural change focused solely on terminology, not policy.

Maddy summaryHB 2461 creates a new 1% surcharge on payroll taxes for Arizona businesses employing 50 or more workers, starting in 2027. The surcharge applies to all business types (including corporations and "small business taxpayers" as defined) and funds a dedicated Community College Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Program Fund. Monies collected will be deposited into this fund to support community college workforce training programs. The bill directly affects businesses with 50+ employees across Arizona, with no changes to existing tax structures beyond this new surcharge.

Maddy summaryHB 2465 modifies Arizona's licensing requirements for professionals like certified public accountants by changing documentation rules. It prohibits state agencies from requiring applicants to provide citizenship or alien status documentation when applying for a license. Instead, agencies must accept a federal tax identification number in place of a Social Security number for licensing applications. This applies to all state agencies, departments, or boards issuing business or service licenses, directly affecting individuals seeking professional licenses in Arizona. The bill does not alter educational or experience requirements for licensure, only the documentation process.

Maddy summaryHB 2471 adds two new state holidays in Arizona: March 31 for "Cesar Chavez Day" and April 1 for "Dolores Huerta Day." The bill amends Arizona Revised Statutes § 1-301 to include these dates in the official list of state holidays, affecting state employees and institutions that observe designated holidays. It also repeals Section 1-308 of the statutes. This is a procedural change to the state's holiday calendar with no substantive policy impact beyond naming these observances.

Maddy summaryHB 2470 adjusts Arizona legislators' daily subsistence payments during legislative sessions. It replaces a fixed $35 rate for Maricopa County residents with a new system where all legislators receive 100% of the federal per diem rate (including lodging) for non-Maricopa residents, and Maricopa residents get $35 for the first 120 session days. After 120 days, Maricopa residents receive $10 daily, while non-Maricopa residents get 50% of the annual federal rate. The annual rate is set by the Department of Administration using U.S. General Services Administration data, and legislators may opt out of these payments.

Maddy summaryHB 2633 establishes the Arizona Commission on Latino Affairs to address the needs of Arizona's Latino community. The commission consists of nine voting members (seven appointed Latino residents and two non-Latino residents) appointed by the governor, plus non-voting advisors with expertise in education, health, civil rights, social services, and small business. Its key duties include advising the governor on policies affecting Latinos, assisting state agencies with Latino-focused programs, and hosting an annual Latino Legislative Day. The bill also creates a dedicated fund to support the commission's operations, with annual reporting requirements to the governor and legislature.

Maddy summaryHB 2465 is a procedural bill that repeals Section 13-3605 of Arizona’s Revised Statutes. It does not create new policies or affect specific groups, as it solely removes an existing legal provision. The bill is currently in its early legislative stage, having received its first House reading on June 27, 2025. The summary cannot describe the repealed law’s content, as the bill text does not specify what Section 13-3605 previously regulated.

Maddy summaryHB 2463 repeals Section 36-3604 of the Arizona Revised Statutes, which prohibited abortion services provided through telemedicine. This repeal removes a specific legal restriction that previously blocked telehealth providers from offering abortion care in Arizona. The bill does not create new abortion policies but eliminates an existing prohibition on telemedicine for abortion services. As a result, abortion providers could potentially offer telemedicine-based abortion care without violating this statute if the bill becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 2744, titled the "Arizona Right to Contraception Act," establishes a legal right for Arizonans to access contraception and for health professionals to provide it. The bill prohibits any state or local law that singles out contraception services or makes access harder - such as requiring special permits for birth control or restricting where it can be distributed. It also mandates that patients must give voluntary, informed consent for sterilization procedures. This bill does not create new access to contraception but aims to protect existing access by preventing restrictive laws targeting contraceptive care.