Lee Johnson

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Republicans voted. How topics are assigned

• ›Jobs & cost of living289 with · 12 against301 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF 1994; AND TO PHASE OUT THE SOFT DRINK TAX BASED ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FROM SALES OF SOFT DRINKS.

    Phases down the soft drink syrup tax from $1.26 per gallon to 96 cents and then lower, as state sales tax revenue from soft drinks reaches thresholds starting at $16 million; requires an annual revenue estimate.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Failed 49–38 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR.

    Requires employers with more than ten employees to give each minor employee an itemized pay statement showing pay basis, rates of pay, gross pay and deductions each time wages are paid.

    Apr 16, 2025 · Failed 42–34 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT STATE ENTITIES FROM EMPLOYING UNAUTHORIZED ALIENS; TO ESTABLISH THE E-VERIFY REQUIREMENT ACT; AND TO REQUIRE STATE ENTITIES TO USE E-VERIFY TO CONFIRM EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.

    Requires state agencies and political subdivisions to verify new hires through E-Verify, bars employing unauthorized aliens, and lets the Department of Labor and Licensing request verification records, with a 30-day cure period for noncompliance starting July 1, 2026.

    Apr 10, 2025 · Passed 76–20 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All jobs & cost of living votes
• ›Rights & public safety131 with · 13 against144 votes

  Most contested

  • No

    TO REQUIRE THE SIGNER TO READ THE BALLOT TITLE OF THE PETITION IN THE PRESENCE OF A CANVASSER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Mar 11, 2025: Requires a person to read the ballot title, or hear it read aloud, in the canvasser's presence before signing an initiative or referendum petition, and makes it a misdemeanor for a canvasser to knowingly accept a signature without that. Takes effect immediately.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Failed 56–35 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO DISQUALIFY SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY A CANVASSER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Mar 11, 2025: Requires the Secretary of State not to count petition signatures gathered by a canvasser found, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have violated canvassing, perjury, forgery or fraud laws during the current election cycle. Takes effect immediately.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Passed 62–29 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, AND COMMISSIONS.

    On the version voted Apr 3, 2025: Removes racial, ethnic and gender membership requirements for certain boards and commissions, including the Financial Education Commission and the Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap.

    Mar 5, 2025 · Passed 61–27 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All rights & public safety votes
• ›Health & care136 with · 4 against140 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

    Requires health benefit plans to pay providers a minimum reimbursement level set by the Insurance Commissioner from neighboring states' commercial-to-Medicare price ratios, phased in from 45% in 2026 to 100% in 2030; insurers must document compliance.

    Apr 10, 2025 · Failed 44–45 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Requires the Department of Human Services, with the Department of Education, to set up regional behavioral health programs by January 1, 2026, respond within 48 hours to school requests about students likely to injure themselves or others, develop management plans, and find funding.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 51–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION PROHIBITION ACT.

    Bans abortions sought solely because of the unborn child's race, requires providers to ask whether the woman knows the race and request her pregnancy records, and sets criminal, civil and license penalties. Takes effect only if the state's abortion bans are enjoined or amended.

    Apr 16, 2025 · Passed 63–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All health & care votes
• ›Education & families128 with · 5 against133 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

    On the version voted Apr 15, 2025: Requires the Department of Human Services, with the Department of Education, to set up regional behavioral health programs by January 1, 2026, respond within 48 hours to school requests about students likely to injure themselves or others, develop management plans, and find funding.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 51–22 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REPEAL THE REQUIREMENT THAT A HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT LIVE WITHIN A CERTAIN RADIUS OF A PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR PURPOSES OF PARTICIPATING IN AN EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITY.

    Removes the requirement that a homeschooled student live within 25 miles of a private school to take part in its interscholastic activities, keeping the notice and academic eligibility requirements.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 58–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO ALLOW A RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO PERMIT A PRIVATE SCHOOL STUDENT TO PARTICIPATE IN AN INTERSCHOLASTIC ACTIVITY AT THE RESIDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

    Lets a school district or open-enrollment charter school allow a private school student to join an interscholastic activity there when the student's private school lacks that activity approved by the Arkansas Activities Association.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 56–32 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All education & families votes
• ›Climate & energy53 with · 1 against54 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PLACE CERTAIN REQUIREMENTS ON AN INDIVIDUAL PLANNING A CROP RESIDUE BURN; AND TO ADDRESS LIABILITY OF AN INDIVIDUAL WHO HAS FOLLOWED CROP RESIDUE BURN REQUIREMENTS.

    Requires crop residue burns to be reported to the Department of Agriculture and follow state smoke management guidelines, and shields those who comply from civil liability unless the claimant proves negligence.

    Apr 3, 2025 · Failed 33–40 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FROM REGULATING THE SALE OR USE OF A LAWN CARE DEVICE OR IMPOSING A TAX OR FEE ON THE USE OF A LAWN CARE DEVICE IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

    Jan 23, 2025 · Passed 76–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    AN ACT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT - DIVISION OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

    On the version voted Apr 28, 2026: Appropriates money for the Division of Environmental Quality for 2026-27, covering state and federal operations and programs for wastewater licensing, land reclamation, hazardous waste permits, abandoned mines and surface coal mining.

    Apr 27, 2026 · Failed 66–25 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All climate & energy votes
• ›Transportation31 with · 1 against32 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN WHOLE OR IN PART USING FORCED LABOR.

    Bars governmental entities from contracting to buy electric vehicles or components unless the manufacturer certifies under oath that no forced labor was used in production, with civil penalties for knowingly false certifications.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 74–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO ESTABLISH THE PREGNANCY PARKING ACT; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PARKING FOR A PERSON WITH A DISABILITY; AND TO AUTHORIZE THE ISSUANCE OF A TEMPORARY SPECIAL CERTIFICATE TO PREGNANT WOMEN.

    Creates the Pregnancy Parking Act, letting a physician-confirmed pregnant woman get a temporary disability parking certificate that expires one year after she gives birth.

    Mar 19, 2025 · Failed 35–39 · against most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE THE DISPLAY OF GENDER INFORMATION ON AN ARKANSAS DRIVER’S LICENSE OR IDENTIFICATION CARD.

    Requires Arkansas driver's licenses and ID cards to state gender as "M" or "F", matching the applicant's identity document or, if it shows "X" or none, a form the applicant completes; bars "X" or blank entries; allows changes only with an amended birth certificate.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 82–8 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All transportation votes
• ›Housing & rent23 with · 0 against24 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPAL BUILDING AND ZONING REGULATIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT A MUNICIPALITY FROM ENFORCING BUILDINGS AND ZONING REGULATIONS ON COUNTY PROPERTY.

    Bars cities from enforcing municipal building and zoning rules on county-owned property inside city limits that is used for a public purpose; the county must follow its own building and zoning rules there.

    Apr 15, 2025 · Passed 62–26 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • No

    TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REGULATION OF SHORT-TERM RENTALS BY A LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

    Bars cities, towns and counties from banning short-term rentals or capping their number jurisdiction-wide, while letting them require permits with fees and owner contact information, and suspend permits after repeated violations or a felony at the rental.

    Apr 8, 2025 · Failed 33–49Official record ↗

  • Yes

    TO REQUIRE A COUNTY RECORDER TO VERIFY CERTAIN INFORMATION BEFORE RECORDING A DEED TO REAL ESTATE.

    Bars county recorders from accepting a real estate deed unless the grantor, or someone signing for the grantor, appears in person with a valid photo ID, with exceptions for deeds presented by attorneys, real estate brokers, lenders, title agents, and government representatives.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 51–31 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All housing & rent votes
• ›Technology & privacy19 with · 0 against19 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO CREATE ELI'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE EACH PUBLIC SCHOOL TO INSTALL AN AUDIO RECORDING DEVICE IN EACH LOCKER ROOM AND DRESSING ROOM ON THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CAMPUS.

    Requires each public school district and charter school, starting in 2027-28, to install audio recording devices in locker rooms and changing rooms with posted notices, and keep recordings at least 90 days but no more than 12 months absent an allegation.

    Apr 14, 2025 · Passed 71–21 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READER SYSTEM ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE USE OF AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS BY PRIVATE LANDOWNERS, PRIVATE LEASEHOLDER, AND COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES.

    Allows private landowners, leaseholders and commercial businesses to use automatic license plate readers to monitor access to their property, limits their data retention to 60 days, bars selling the data, and requires a subpoena for government to compel its release.

    Apr 9, 2025 · Passed 56–27 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO AMEND THE SALES AND USE TAX EXEMPTION FOR DATA CENTERS.

    On the version voted Apr 7, 2025: Amends the data center sales and use tax exemption: adds a qualified large data center category (at least $2 billion invested within ten years), sets qualified data centers at $500 million, and excludes facilities primarily engaged in virtual currency transactions.

    Mar 10, 2025 · Passed 71–17 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All technology & privacy votes
• ›Foreign affairs & defense14 with · 0 against14 votes

  Most contested

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT LOBBYING FOR A COVERED FOREIGN ENTITY.

    Bars people paid to lobby from lobbying for a covered foreign entity, defined to include parties on federal screening or entity lists and those based in or controlled by China or Russia, with penalties escalating from a fine to a felony.

    Mar 31, 2025 · Passed 78–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO PROHIBIT THE PROCUREMENT BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE OR A COMPONENT OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE THAT WAS MANUFACTURED IN WHOLE OR IN PART USING FORCED LABOR.

    Bars governmental entities from contracting to buy electric vehicles or components unless the manufacturer certifies under oath that no forced labor was used in production, with civil penalties for knowingly false certifications.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 74–14 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  • Yes

    TO CREATE THE RECOGNIZING JUDEA AND SAMARIA ACT; AND TO PROHIBIT STATE AGENCIES FROM USING THE TERM "WEST BANK" IN OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT MATERIALS.

    Bars state agencies from using the term "West Bank" in official materials, with the stated intent of using "Judea and Samaria" instead; an agency's executive head may waive the bar and must explain the waiver to the legislature.

    Apr 7, 2025 · Passed 79–11 · with most RepublicansOfficial record ↗

  All foreign affairs & defense votes

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 20 of 138 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (10), Jobs & cost of living (5), Health & care (2)

• AN ACT FOR THE AUDITOR OF STATE - CONTINUING EDUCATION OF LOCAL OFFICIALS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

  What it does: On the version voted Apr 21, 2026: Appropriates money for fiscal 2026-2027 for continuing-education and certification programs for county clerks, circuit clerks, county treasurers and collectors ($75,000 each) and cou…

  Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 15–2, Republicans 15–50

  Apr 16, 2026Official record ↗

• TO REQUIRE PERMITTED COMMON CARRIERS TO SUBMIT REPORTS DETAILING SHIPMENTS OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES INTO THE STATE.

  What it does: Requires common carriers that ship alcoholic beverages to Arkansas consumers to submit quarterly shipment reports to the Department of Finance and Administration.

  Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 7–4, Republicans 16–45

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

  What it does: Requires health benefit plans to pay providers a minimum reimbursement level set by the Insurance Commissioner from neighboring states' commercial-to-Medicare price ratios, phased in from 45% in 2026 to 100% in 2030;…

  Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 17–1, Republicans 27–44

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

• AN ACT TO AMEND THE USE OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUNDING THAT EXCEEDS THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT AWARDED TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHERS UNDER THE PUBLIC SCHOOL FUNDING ACT OF 2003.

  What it does: Requires professional development funding above the $41-per-student base amount to be used by the state education division for professional learning communities that support implementing the LEARNS Act.

  Voted no · most Republicans voted yes · Democrats 2–12, Republicans 59–13

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

• TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HEALTHCARE ACCESS; TO AMEND THE ASSESSMENT FEES ON HOSPITALS; AND TO CREATE THE HOSPITAL DIRECTED PAYMENT ASSESSMENT.

  What it does: Creates a hospital directed payment assessment on hospitals, with proceeds deposited in a Medicaid account to fund managed care hospital payments up to the federal limit, and creates a Graduate Medical Education Expan…

  Voted yes · most Republicans voted no · Democrats 6–5, Republicans 12–43

  Apr 7, 2025Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

• Yes

  TO MANDATE MINIMUM REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS FOR HEALTHCARE SERVICES.

  Against most of their party · Failed 44–45 · Yes 44–No 45 · Democrats 17–1, Republicans 27–44

  Apr 10, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  TO REQUIRE THE SIGNER TO READ THE BALLOT TITLE OF THE PETITION IN THE PRESENCE OF A CANVASSER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  Against most of their party · Failed 56–35 · Yes 56–No 35 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 56–17

  Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS SOFT DRINK TAX ACT, AS AFFIRMED BY REFERRED ACT 1 OF 1994; AND TO PHASE OUT THE SOFT DRINK TAX BASED ON SALES TAX COLLECTIONS FROM SALES OF SOFT DRINKS.

  With most of their party · Failed 49–38 · Yes 49–No 38 · Democrats 1–17, Republicans 48–21

  Apr 7, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  TO DISQUALIFY SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY A CANVASSER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  Against most of their party · Passed 62–29 · Yes 62–No 29 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 62–10

  Mar 10, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH REGIONAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE EDUCATION OF CERTAIN STUDENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  With most of their party · Passed 51–22 · Yes 51–No 22 · Democrats 0–16, Republicans 51–6

  Apr 14, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REMOVE RACIAL AND GENDER QUOTAS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP FOR CERTAIN BOARDS, COMMITTEES, COUNCILS, AND COMMISSIONS.

  With most of their party · Passed 61–27 · Yes 61–No 27 · Democrats 0–18, Republicans 61–9

  Mar 5, 2025Official record ↗

• Yes

  TO REQUIRE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW BALLOT TITLES FOR CONFLICTS WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL STATUTES; AND TO PROHIBIT THE SUBMISSION OF CONFLICTING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS.

  With most of their party · Passed 62–30 · Yes 62–No 30 · Democrats 0–17, Republicans 62–13

  Feb 10, 2025Official record ↗

• No

  TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; TO REQUIRE A CANVASSER TO SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT BEFORE SIGNATURES CAN BE COUNTED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.

  Against most of their party · Passed 65–27 · Yes 65–No 27 · Democrats 0–19, Republicans 65–8

  Feb 25, 2025Official record ↗