Senator Mark Johnson was elected in 2018 and was sworn in on the first day of session in January 2019. He represents District 17, which includes Conway, Mayflower, parts of Faulkner County and parts of northwest Pulaski County.
Senator Johnson is the Senate co-chair of the Joint Energy Committee. He is a member of the Senate Insurance and Commerce Committee, the Senate Transportation, Technology and Legislative Affairs Committee, the Senate Interim Committee on Children and Youth, the Joint Budget Committee and the Legislative Joint Auditing Committee.
During the 94th General Assembly, Senator Johnson sponsored legislation to amend the law on loitering and to amend Medicaid claims processing by the Department of Human Services. He also sponsored legislation for military personnel to receive an Arkansas driver’s license and to amend the law concerning the funds in the commercial driver license fund.
During the 2021 regular session Senator Johnson sponsored legislation to establish the electric vehicle infrastructure fund. He was the lead sponsor on the Arkansas State Capitol and Historical Monument Protection Act, which prohibits state agencies and local governments from removing monuments on public property.
He co-sponsored bills reforming election and campaign finance laws, such as legislation that clarifies the duties of county employees and how campaign finance reports that must be filed by candidates and elected officials.
In 2019 he sponsored legislation to protect the freedom of expression of college students who contribute to school-sponsored journals and periodicals. He also sponsored legislation to expand charter schools and enhance school choice. In 2019 Senator Johnson mentored during Boys State.
A native of Crossett, he grew up in Conway and graduated from Conway High School and Hendrix College. Senator Johnson started his public career after college by joining the staff of former Congressman Wilbur Mills in Washington, D.C.
He then worked for the Small Business Administration and the City of North Little Rock. Senator Johnson served in the cabinet of former Governor Frank White, then moved into the private sector to be an advisor to businesses, cities and organizations on fundraising.
Senator Johnson is a member of the Little Rock Rotary Club. He has served as chair of the Pulaski County Republican Committee and is the past President of the Arkansas Republican County Chairmen’s Association. Senator Johnson and his wife, Catherine, have been married for over 45 years and they have two grown daughters.
