Study of Arkansas highway agency endorsed

The Senate on Monday handily approved legislation to authorize lawmakers, aided by consultants, to study the state Department of Transportation.

The Senate voted 29-2 to send Senate Bill 385 by Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, to the House.

The bill would require the Legislative Council or its executive subcommittee to hire at least one consultant to help study the department -- its processes, procurement procedures, projects, expenditures and appeals processes. A final report would be filed with the governor and legislative leaders by Dec. 1, 2020.

[RELATED: Complete Democrat-Gazette coverage of the Arkansas Legislature]

The bill also would require the state's Internal Audit Section in what would be the state Office of Inspector General to conduct an annual project review and efficiency study of the Transportation Department, with the first report due Oct. 1, 2021.

Dismang said he doesn't have an estimate of how much it will cost to hire a consultant, but he wants the Legislative Council to seek competitive bids.

In a 28-3 vote, the Senate also approved SB386 by Dismang that would require the Transportation Department director to seek Highway Commission approval of draft legislation by Dec. 1 ahead of a regular legislative session. The department director then would be required to report to the Legislative Council at its December meeting about the department's legislative package. The bill goes to the House.

-- Michael R. Wickline

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