(1) Suits against any state officer involving any act done or proposed to be done in the administration of the Arkansas Department of Transportation or of any law pertaining to the state highway system shall be brought only at the seat of government, in Pulaski County.
(2) However, where any suit may be filed against any contractor, or persons engaged in the construction of state highways or on account of any claim growing out of any contract, express or implied, or on account of any damages to person or property, the suits may be filed in any county in this state where service can be obtained upon the defendant by summons or publication of a warning order, and it shall give the court in which the suit is filed against the defendant jurisdiction when service is complete.