Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summarySB 227 amends the Freedom of Information Act of 1967, specifically updating provisions related to public meetings. The bill's text provided does not specify the exact nature of these amendments or the concrete policy changes it would implement. It was passed by the legislature on April 7, 2025, and became Act 505 on April 10, 2025. The context lacks details on the specific changes to FOIA or who would be directly affected, so a substantive summary of the policy mechanisms cannot be provided from the given information.

Maddy summaryHB 1300 amends the Prior Authorization Transparency Act to increase clarity for healthcare providers and patients regarding insurance prior authorization requirements. It requires health insurers to publish aggregated online lists of step therapy rules, service location restrictions, benefit category limits, excluded services, and post-service review requirements - using standardized billing codes. Insurers must also provide healthcare providers 60 days' written notice of any changes to these published policies, down from 90 days. The bill directly affects insurance companies, healthcare providers, and patients navigating coverage approvals for medical services.

Maddy summaryHB 1314 creates the Arkansas Medical Audit Bill of Rights Act, directly affecting healthcare providers (excluding pharmacies) facing audits by state or federal agencies. The bill limits audits to either 50 claims or 0.25% of a provider’s annual claims, whichever is greater, and gives providers the choice to conduct audits on-site, electronically, or via the method used in the initial audit. It also clarifies that overpayments must be recouped only if corrected claims are paid on the same date, preventing retroactive penalties for minor billing errors. These changes aim to make audit processes more predictable and less burdensome for healthcare providers.

Maddy summarySB 264 establishes the Arkansas Primary Care Payment Improvement Working Group, a 9-member committee to study and recommend improvements to primary care payment systems. The group includes state health officials, an insurance commissioner representative, health improvement center staff, and appointed primary care physicians, nurses, and pediatricians from legislative leaders. It does not change existing laws or payments but creates a formal process for stakeholders to analyze and propose payment system reforms. This procedural bill directly affects primary care providers and health insurers by creating a structured forum for their input. The working group was formally created when the bill became Act 483 on April 9, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis bill (HB 1561) is a technical amendment to remove all references to "the State of Qatar" from existing state laws. It deletes phrases like "or the State of Qatar" or "from the State of Qatar" from 17 different sections of the code, correcting outdated or erroneous text. The bill does not create new policies, affect any individuals or groups, or change legal requirements. It was passed by both chambers and became law as Act 473 on April 8, 2025, solely to update legal references.

Maddy summarySB 366 creates the "Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program" and a dedicated fund to provide financial grants for retrofitting or constructing single-family homes to meet wind-resistant FORTIFIED Home standards. The program directly assists homeowners and nonprofit organizations owning eligible "insurable dwellings" (owner-occupied primary residences with homestead exemptions) to reduce damage from wind and hail events. Grants cover costs to upgrade homes to FORTIFIED Roof or FORTIFIED Silver standards, requiring certified evaluators, local permits, and contractor bids. The fund collects donations, grants, and state/federal funds but does not create automatic entitlements for property owners.

Maddy summarySB 344 transfers Arkansas's Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program from the Department of Health to the Department of Transformation and Shared Services, effective as of April 7, 2025 (now Act 444). The program, which rewards state employees for healthy habits like exercise and nutrition, will now be managed by the new department, including all administrative functions, records, personnel, and funding. State agencies must make the program available to employees by July 1, 2026, and may grant up to three days of paid leave annually for participation. This transfer does not affect existing program rules or standards.

Maddy summaryHB 1673, now Act 436, is a procedural amendment adding Senator Irvin as a cosponsor to a bill titled "TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING BARBERS." The bill itself contains no substantive changes to barber regulations or licensing requirements. It was passed by the Senate on March 31, 2025, and became law after being transmitted to the Governor's Office on April 3, 2025. This amendment does not alter any barber-related policies or directly affect barbers, salons, or licensing procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1258, now Act 435, creates a statewide certification program for community health workers in Arkansas. The bill establishes a standardized certification process, requiring workers to meet specific training and competency standards to practice. This directly affects community health workers who must obtain this certification to work legally in the state, ensuring consistent qualifications across all communities. The law replaces inconsistent local or employer-based requirements with a single state-administered system.

Maddy summaryHB 1288 (now Act 423) requires healthcare insurers in Arkansas to pay providers retroactively for services rendered before the provider was officially approved by the insurer. This directly affects healthcare providers (like doctors or clinics) who treat patients while waiting for insurer credentialing approval. The key provision mandates that insurers make these retroactive payments once a provider is finally added to their network. The law aims to prevent providers from bearing financial losses for care delivered during the credentialing delay. It amends the Arkansas Health Care Consumer Act to enforce this payment requirement.