§ 14-43-601 - Municipal affairs delineated. - Arkansas Statutes

14-43-601. Municipal affairs delineated.

(a) (1) For the purposes of this subchapter, the term "municipal affairs" means all matters and affairs of government germane to, affecting, or concerning the municipality or its government, except the following, which are state affairs and subject to the general laws of the State of Arkansas:

(A) Public information and open meetings;

(B) Uniform requirements for competitive bidding on contracts;

(C) Claims against a municipality;

(D) Requirements of surety bonds for financial officers;

(E) Collective bargaining;

(F) Pension and civil service systems;

(G) Hours and vacations, holidays, and other fringe benefits of employees;

(H) The definition, use, and control of surplus revenues of municipally owned utilities;

(I) Vacation of streets and alleys;

(J) Matters coming within the police power of the state including minimum public health, pollution, and safety standards;

(K) Gambling and alcoholic beverages;

(L) Traffic on or the construction and maintenance of state highways;

(M) Regulations of intrastate commerce including rates and terms of service of railroad, bus, and truck lines, cooperatives, and non-municipally owned utilities;

(N) The incorporation and merger of municipalities and annexation of territory thereto; and

(O) Procedure for the passage of ordinances by the governing body.

(2) The municipality may exercise any function or legislative power upon the foregoing state affairs if not in conflict with state law.

(b) (1) Matters of public health, which concern emergency medical services, emergency medical technicians, and ambulances, as defined in 20-13-201 -- 20-13-209 and 20-13-211, and ambulance companies, shall be included in the term "municipal affairs" of cities of the first class.

(2) (A) These cities shall have the authority to enact and establish standards, rules, or regulations which are equal to, or greater than, those established by the state concerning emergency medical services, emergency medical technicians, ambulances, and ambulance companies.

(B) The standards, rules, or regulations shall not be less than those established by the state for the rating of the service offered.