HB1900 Summary

• Creates the Public-Private Transportation Act (Arkansas Code Chapter 27-4) to enable partnerships between public entities and private entities for developing transportation facilities including roads, bridges, tunnels, airports, and mass transit facilities.

• Establishes a competitive procurement process requiring public entities to publish requests for proposals for at least 90 days, evaluate responses, and select a qualified respondent based on multiple factors including cost, reputation, design quality, and local benefits.

• Authorizes two types of agreements: interim agreements for preliminary development and feasibility work, and comprehensive agreements covering full development, financing, operation, and maintenance of transportation facilities.

• Grants private entities authority to own, lease, or operate qualifying facilities; establish rates and fees; and enforce reasonable rules, with facilities reverting to the public entity upon termination of the agreement.

• Requires the Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department to review and approve all qualifying transportation facilities before comprehensive agreements are executed, and mandates public transparency including 30-day comment periods and publication of proposals and agreements on public websites.