TO AMEND THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-GENERAL CONTRACTOR METHOD OF PROCUREMENT PILOT PROGRAM TO TO MAKE THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER-GENERAL CONTRACTOR METHOD OF PROCUREMENT PROGRAM PERMANENT FOR THE STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION.

HB 1605 makes the Construction Manager-General Contractor (CM-GC) procurement program permanent for the Arkansas State Highway Commission, replacing its previous temporary pilot status. The bill removes the program’s 2026 termination date and repeals the requirement for an independent consultant study comparing CM-GC to traditional procurement methods. Under this permanent program, the Highway Commission can use the CM-GC method for any transportation project with a construction cost estimate under $300 million, streamlining project contracting without phase limits or cost caps previously applied during the pilot. This directly affects how the state procures road and highway construction projects.