Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryThis bill adds nitrogen gas as an additional method of execution for individuals sentenced to death in Arkansas, alongside the existing lethal injection option. It requires prison officials to notify death row inmates of the chosen execution method (nitrogen gas or lethal injection) at least seven days in advance. The bill also includes confidentiality provisions preventing public disclosure of execution protocols, drug sources, and personnel involved under Arkansas' public records laws. This change applies to all future capital punishment cases in Arkansas, following its passage into law as Act 302.

Maddy summaryHB 1405 amends Arkansas law to add new regulations for licensed chiropractic physicians regarding the use of a "procurer" (a third party that procures goods or services). The bill directly affects chiropractors by requiring them to follow specific rules when engaging a procurer to obtain medical supplies or services. Key provisions include adding statutory requirements to ensure proper oversight and prevent misuse in chiropractic procurement practices. The bill became law as Act 309 on March 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1587 amends Arkansas' Patient Protection Act of 1995 and "any willing provider" laws to clarify which licensed healthcare providers qualify under these statutes. It expands the official list of covered providers to include specific professions like durable medical equipment providers and adds a mechanism for the State Insurance Department to later include additional healthcare practitioners through administrative rules. This bill directly affects licensed healthcare professionals and facilities in Arkansas who participate in state-regulated healthcare programs. The key change is creating a more detailed, inclusive definition of "healthcare provider" for legal and regulatory purposes, without altering existing program requirements or funding.

Maddy summaryHB 1298 requires healthcare insurers to pay out-of-network claims directly to the healthcare provider who delivered hospital, nursing, medical, or surgical services, rather than to the patient. This applies to health benefit plans (including Medicaid and private insurance) but excludes dental-only, workers' compensation, or specific limited-benefit plans. The bill updates definitions to clarify that "healthcare insurer" includes entities like insurance companies and Arkansas Medicaid, while "health benefit plan" covers most medical coverage. It aims to streamline payments for providers treating patients outside their network. The law, now Act 307, took effect after passing both chambers and being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1460 is a procedural bill that amended the sponsorship list for a bill concerning appointments to boards, commissions, and councils. It deleted Representative L. Johnson as the sole sponsor and added Representatives Rose and L. Johnson as cosponsors, along with Senator J. Dotson as a sponsor. The bill itself does not change any appointment rules or policy provisions - its sole purpose was updating who is listed as sponsoring the legislation. This procedural amendment was passed and became Act 324 on March 18, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1547 would have amended Arkansas' Water Authority Act to redefine "qualified corporation" to include nonprofit water providers and certain government entities, enabling them to convert to public water authorities. This would allow eligible organizations - such as nonprofits distributing water to the public or government entities managing water systems - to access tax-exempt financing by converting to public entities, potentially lowering water rates. The bill specified requirements for conversion, including board resolutions, service area details, and bylaws. However, the bill was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, and is no longer active.

Maddy summaryHB 1299 would prohibit healthcare insurers from seeking repayment (recoupment) for services paid to providers more than one year after the initial payment. This directly affects healthcare providers who receive payments from insurers, as it limits insurers' ability to reclaim funds for alleged errors or overpayments after a one-year window. The bill defines key terms like "fraud," "waste," and "abuse" in healthcare billing but centers on establishing this strict one-year deadline for recoupment actions. The bill was introduced in the 2025 legislative session, passed committee, and was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, before becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1319, which was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, would have created a state sales tax exemption for disabled veterans, their unremarried spouses, and surviving spouses of disabled veterans in Arkansas. The bill would have allowed these individuals to exclude up to $5,000 annually in sales tax on tangible personal property and certain digital products purchased at physical stores within the state. To claim the exemption, veterans would have needed an identification card from the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs, while surviving spouses would have required certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The exemption would not apply to local sales taxes or the compensating use tax.

Maddy summaryHB 1165 (withdrawn by author on March 17, 2025) would have prohibited Arkansas Medicaid from paying different reimbursement rates for identical services provided by the same type of healthcare provider (e.g., physicians) in different settings - such as a doctor's office versus a behavioral health agency - when using the same billing codes. The bill aimed to address disparities where providers in behavioral health settings received lower payments for the same services compared to office-based settings, which the bill’s findings stated disadvantaged behavioral health services. It required the Arkansas Department of Human Services to seek federal approvals to implement this uniform payment policy. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but withdrawn before committee action.

Maddy summaryHB 1584 requires the Arkansas Medicaid Program to complete independent assessments for beneficiaries seeking home- and community-based services (HCBS) within 30 days of application. This applies to all applicants, including those needing a full assessment or an abbreviated review if previously approved for similar services. The bill mandates the Department of Human Services to implement this timeline and seek necessary federal approvals. Note: The bill was withdrawn by its author on March 17, 2025, and is no longer active.