(a) The State Highway Commission is authorized to:
(1) Expend from its regular appropriation for any fiscal year, in addition to the other purposes enumerated in the appropriation act, funds to cover the state's pro rata share, as a participating member, of the costs in the activities and work of the Mississippi River Parkway Planning Commission; and
(2) Match any federal-aid apportionment for the planning and coordination of the Great River Road, also called the Mississippi River Parkway.
(b) The authorizations made for expenditures from the State Highway and Transportation Department Fund in subsection (a) of this section shall be made by the State Highway Commission as it deems in the best interests of the State of Arkansas and shall be limited to expenditures not exceeding seven thousand five hundred dollars ($7,500) for fees, dues, and other expenses during any one (1) fiscal year.