Rep. Lee Johnson

Maddy summaryHB 1001 reduces income tax rates for Arkansas residents, including individuals, trusts, estates, and both domestic and foreign corporations. For individuals, the bill establishes a progressive tax structure with rates ranging from 0% to 3.7% for income up to $94,700, while providing a specific tax credit for income between $94,701 and $97,600. Corporations see their tax brackets adjusted starting in 2027, with rates increasing from 1% to 4.1% on net income exceeding $11,000. The legislation also includes provisions for annual adjustments to the individual tax tables to account for inflation or other economic factors.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House resolution that officially designates May 2026 as Skin Cancer Awareness Month in Arkansas. It aims to encourage the public to learn about the risks of skin cancer and the importance of early diagnosis. The resolution does not change any laws or allocate funding; instead, it serves as a symbolic gesture to raise awareness about the disease.

Maddy summaryThis bill increases the Arkansas homestead property tax credit for property owners, raising the annual reduction in real property taxes from $600 to $675. The change applies to assessment years starting on or after January 1, 2026, directly benefiting homeowners who qualify for the credit. By amending the state code, the legislation provides a slightly larger tax relief amount for eligible residents without altering other tax provisions.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 331 aimed to create the Genetic Testing Act, which would have mandated health insurance coverage for genetic testing related to inherited cancer mutations. The bill specified that this coverage would not be subject to typical cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles or co-payments. This legislation would have directly affected individuals requiring genetic testing for inherited cancer risks and their health insurance providers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 542 aimed to amend the Medicaid Provider-Led Organized Care Act in Arkansas, focusing on improving the experience for Medicaid beneficiaries. It would have required risk-based provider organizations to establish an online quality rating system, making data on service delivery, care coordinator performance, and member satisfaction publicly accessible. The bill also mandated real-time online provider directories and the creation of a dedicated beneficiary support system within the Department of Human Services. These measures were intended to empower beneficiaries, particularly those with intellectual, developmental, or behavioral health needs, with information to make informed choices about their care providers.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 626 aims to establish fair and equitable reimbursement rates for various healthcare providers in Arkansas, including clinics, hospitals, and outpatient facilities. It requires healthcare insurers to disclose their reimbursement methodologies and to ensure minimum reimbursement rates for these services. The bill defines "Equivalent Medicare reimbursement" as a basis for these rates, including for services not typically covered by Medicare. This legislation seeks to address the challenges faced by Arkansas healthcare providers regarding reimbursement from health benefit plans.

Maddy summaryThe provided text is Amendment No. 1 to SB 179, not the full bill. Based on the title, SB 179 aims to establish the "Strengthen Arkansas Homes Act" and create the "Strengthen Arkansas Homes Program Premium Tax Fund." Amendment No. 1 modifies provisions regarding the admissibility of certain information, clarifying that it would be admissible as evidence in private civil actions. It also specifies that these provisions do not prevent disclosure to legislative auditing bodies or preclude subpoena authority.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 221 (SB 221) aims to prohibit specific contracting practices by risk-based provider organizations when they negotiate with direct healthcare service providers in Arkansas. The bill prevents these organizations from using "tying" tactics, which involve requiring a provider to contract for multiple services if they only agree to one, or penalizing them for declining certain services. It also prohibits discrimination against providers who refuse such terms. Violations of these provisions would be considered unfair trade practices, and any problematic contract clauses would be voided. The bill seeks to ensure fair negotiation for providers and protect access to healthcare for Medicaid beneficiaries, especially individuals with disabilities.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 621 aimed to amend Arkansas's Temporary Hospital Facility Act, primarily affecting healthcare insurers and temporary hospital facilities. It would have required healthcare insurers to offer contracts to temporary hospital facilities within 30 days of a request and to reimburse them at the same rate as regularly-licensed hospitals. These contract and reimbursement provisions would have applied retroactively to when a facility became a temporary hospital. The bill also clarified that the Insurance Commissioner would enforce these provisions, utilizing remedies like restitution and damages.

Maddy summarySenate Bill 306 would have required the Arkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) to apply for a federal waiver to expand home- and community-based services for the state's aging and elderly Medicaid population. The bill aimed to provide an alternative to skilled nursing facility care, allowing eligible individuals to receive support in their homes or communities. A key provision mandated that the average cost for these home- and community-based services must not exceed the average cost of institutional care, ensuring cost neutrality. This initiative sought to broaden care options for Arkansans needing services due to aging or elderly needs.