The Arkansas Legislative Council gave final approval Friday to a $235.5 million Department of Corrections medical contract that prompted lawmakers to request action be taken to ensure procurement rules comply with state law.

A legislative committee meeting Tuesday heated up when lawmakers discussed a $1.5 billion medical contract for the Arkansas Department of Corrections and the process used to settle it.

The Arkansas Legislative Council voted Friday to approve a proposed 10-year, $1.6 billion medical contract between Wellpath and the state Department of Corrections after its secretary clarified the process by which the firm was selected.

A legislative committee on Tuesday forwarded a $235.5 million medical contract for the Arkansas Department of Corrections to the Arkansas Legislative Council for final approval on Friday, but the deal still faces significant opposition from key lawmakers.