(a)

(1) The Secretary of State, on behalf of the State of Arkansas, is authorized to enter into agreements with public utility companies regarding the installation, maintenance, and repair of utility service lines and facilities necessary to the delivery of the respective utility services to the various buildings on the State Capitol grounds.

(2) The agreements may include the granting of easements or privileges to public utility companies to install and maintain lines and facilities on the State Capitol grounds and may contain provisions regarding the relative responsibilities of the public utility companies and the State of Arkansas for removing abandoned facilities or relocating lines and facilities on the State Capitol grounds, and may include such other agreements or provisions as shall be deemed appropriate or necessary by the parties.

(3) No contract shall be entered into between the Secretary of State and any public utility until it is submitted to and approved as to form by the Attorney General.

(b)

(1) State agencies, departments, and institutions are authorized to enter into agreements with public utility companies for the furnishing of utility services by the contracting utility and the purchase of such services by the state agencies, departments, or institutions.

(2) The agreements may include provisions regarding the service demand of the contracting agency, department, or institution for the utility service involved, the rates to be charged for the services, minimum charges, and such other matters as the contracting parties shall deem appropriate regarding the furnishing and purchase of utility services.

(3) Any rates or charges established in the contracts shall conform to filings made with and approved by the appropriate state regulatory body.