(a) In addition to the powers, purposes, and authorities set forth elsewhere in this subchapter or in other laws, the Arkansas State Police Commission may:

(1)

(A) Acquire, construct, repair, renovate, alter, maintain, and equip communications equipment for use by the Department of Arkansas State Police.

(B) However, the communications equipment acquired under the authority of this subchapter shall not be used for the transmission of telephonic messages which bypass the public telephone network;

(2) Contract for the lease, lease-purchase, or purchase of the communications equipment on such terms and conditions as are specified by this subchapter and approved by the Director of the Department of Arkansas State Police with the consent of the commission;

(3) Provide for the payment of the cost of acquisition from any legally available source or sources, including, without limitation, the revenues authorized by § 12-8-307, funds appropriated and made available under §§ 12-8-101 -- 12-8-107, 12-8-110 -- 12-8-112, 12-8-114 -- 12-8-116, 12-8-118, 12-8-119, 12-8-201 -- 12-8-205, 12-8-213, and 12-12-103, and funds, if any, appropriated for the communications equipment;

(4) Purchase, acquire, lease, lease-purchase, or rent, and receive bequests or donations of, or otherwise acquire, sell, trade, or barter any real, personal, or mixed property and convert such property into money or other property;

(5) Contract and be contracted with;

(6) Apply for, receive, accept, and use any moneys and property from the United States Government, any agency, any state or governmental body or political subdivision, any public or private corporation or organization of any nature, or any individual;

(7) Invest and reinvest any of its moneys in securities, obligations, banking arrangements, or investment agreements selected by the commission;

(8) Make and execute all other instruments necessary or convenient for the performance of its duties and the exercise of its powers and functions under this subchapter;

(9) In connection with the acquisition and financing of the costs of communication equipment, employ attorneys, accountants, underwriters, and financial advisors and such other advisors, consultants, and agents as may be necessary in its judgment, and fix their compensation;

(10) Procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it may deem advisable, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance;

(11) Procure insurance or guaranties from any public or private entities, including any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States and to secure payment of any lease entered into under the authority of this subchapter, including the power to pay premiums on any such insurance or guaranty;

(12) Arrange for the use of such communications equipment by any federal, state, or local governmental agency or any other person, from time to time, as any of such communications equipment is not needed by the department and collect fees and charges, as the commission determines to be reasonable, in connection with the use of any communications equipment by any other person;

(13) Cooperate with and exchange services and information with any federal, state, or local governmental agency; and

(14) Take such other action, not inconsistent with law, as may be necessary, convenient, or desirable to carry out the powers, purposes, and authorities set forth in this subchapter and carry out the intent of this subchapter.

(b) All the powers, purposes, and authorities set forth in subsection (a) of this section, except those relating to the contracting for the lease, purchase, or lease-purchase of the communications equipment, may be carried out by the department.