SB 54 Summary

• Establishes 27 regular employees for the Arkansas Geological Survey for fiscal year 2012-2013, including positions such as State Geologist ($97,084), Assistant State Geologist, Senior Petroleum Geologist, and various geology and support staff positions.

• Appropriates $2,109,512 from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund for state operations, including $1,357,540 for regular salaries, $399,024 for personal services matching, and operating expenses for water quality programs, stream gauging, ground water survey, and mineral exploration.

• Appropriates $1,060,428 in federal funds for the State Geologic Mapping Program, including $82,295 in regular salaries, $11,591 in extra help, and $939,689 in operating expenses.

• Authorizes additional appropriations of $100,000 from the Geology Map Resale Revolving Fund, $36,000 from a State Farm Grant for earthquake awareness, $9,025 for the Geology Museum, and $750,000 in federal funds for lignite drilling, testing, and reporting.

• Declares the act effective July 1, 2012, as an emergency measure necessary for agency operations and prohibits fund disbursement outside stated purposes as documented in budget manuals and legislative records.