AR SB385

Legislative Council shall hire one or more consultants to conduct a comprehensive study of Arkansas Department of Transportation's processes, procedures, procurement procedures, projects, expenditures, and appeals processes.

Study must examine potential improvements and recommend legislation to maximize taxpayer dollars, improve department efficiency, and ensure responsiveness to state highway and road improvement needs.

Legislative Council shall compare department procurement processes with Arkansas Procurement Law requirements, study best practices from surrounding states, audit expenditures, and adopt recommended legislation by December 1, 2020.

Director of State Highways and Transportation must fully cooperate by providing access to requested documents and records and timely responses to information requests.

Internal Audit Section shall conduct an annual project review and efficiency study of the Arkansas Department of Transportation starting October 1, 2021, with results reported to Legislative Council by October 1 each year.