Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1868 proposed to require insurance companies to pay a service fee directly to fire departments for their firefighting services. This fee would apply when a fire department responds to a fire involving insured property within its district. The bill specified that the fee should be "fair and reasonable" and based on the "time on scene," which is defined as the documented time a fire department spends at a structure fire, accident, or motor vehicle fire from arrival to clearance. This legislation sought to create a new financial mechanism for fire departments to be compensated by insurers for emergency responses to insured incidents.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1738 proposes a sales and use tax exemption for disabled veterans and authorized members of their households in Arkansas. To qualify, a disabled veteran must be certified by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and submit a letter to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This exemption applies to sales of tangible personal property, digital products, and services, with an annual maximum limit of $25,000 per disabled veteran. The DFA would issue exemption cards and establish rules for the program.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1626, as amended, aimed to prohibit the sale of certain disposable vapor products. The bill's central provision was to ban the sale of disposable vapor products that originate from a "prohibited foreign party," a term defined by referencing an existing legal statute (§ 18-11-802). This measure would have directly impacted retailers selling vapor products and consumers who purchase them. The bill did not pass and died in committee.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends the process for evaluating the necessity and effectiveness of various state boards, commissions, and advisory councils. It mandates the abolishment of any board or commission that has no prescribed powers or duties and has not held a meeting with a quorum in two years. For other inactive boards, the Joint Performance Review Committee is required to reevaluate their purpose and effectiveness if they fail to meet regularly or with a quorum for four consecutive times within a two-year period. The committee will then report its findings and draft legislation, which could include abolishing, merging, or modifying the board, and submit it to the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1969 aimed to improve healthcare access in Arkansas by modifying how hospitals are assessed and reimbursed for Medicaid services. The bill proposed creating a "Graduate Medical Education Expansion Program" to fund eligible hospitals for new medical residency and fellowship positions, intending to increase the number of doctors in training. It also sought to establish a "Hospital Directed Payment Assessment" system, designed to maximize Medicaid reimbursement for hospitals, support their financial stability (especially in rural areas), and enhance patient care. This system would involve specific payments directed through managed care entities and updated definitions related to hospital cost reporting and Medicaid payment limits.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1459 addresses recurring reports submitted by Arkansas state agencies to the General Assembly. It mandates that state agencies file reports, whether required by statute or requested by the legislature, only three times. After the third submission, agencies would stop sending these reports unless the receiving legislative body or officer specifically requests their continuation. Agencies are also required to inform the recipient that reporting will cease after the third filing. This bill aims to modify the automatic flow of recurring reports to the General Assembly.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1290 aims to mandate insurance coverage for mental health wellness examinations and establish the Arkansas Support of Mental Health Wellness Examinations Act. This bill would directly affect individuals with health benefit plans and the healthcare insurers providing those plans. An amendment to the bill clarified provisions regarding the scope of these examinations, including age-appropriate screenings and other clinically appropriate supports. It also specified that cost-sharing is required for health benefit plans issued by a healthcare insurer to a state entity.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1415, as amended, requires municipal and county law enforcement officers to respond to requests from fire officials. The purpose of their response is to help determine if a fire investigation is needed. This bill directly affects local fire officials and law enforcement agencies by establishing a mandatory response protocol for initial fire assessments.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 1463, as amended, regulates the disclosure and observation of neuropsychological and psychological test materials and data. It prohibits the general release of these specific test materials in administrative, judicial, or legislative proceedings, while allowing professionals to offer testimony based on their review. The bill outlines permitted third-party observers during evaluations, such as attorneys, insurance representatives, or security personnel in cases of legitimate safety concern. It also allows for unobtrusive video or audio recordings during evaluations with the consent of both the individual and the professional, and ensures state investigatory bodies retain access to these records.

Maddy summaryHB 1662, titled "TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY," aimed to prevent individuals or organizations from lobbying on behalf of certain foreign entities. The provided text is an amendment to the bill, which made minor changes to specific wording and references within the original text. Without the full original bill text, the specific definitions of "covered foreign entity" or the detailed mechanisms and scope of the prohibition are not available.