AR HB1041

Establishes maximum of 537 regular employees for the Department of Career Education - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for fiscal year 2015-2016, with specific job classifications and salary grades listed for each position.

Authorizes 19 part-time or temporary employees ("Extra Help") to be paid at rates not exceeding those provided in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

Appropriates $62,963,237 for operations including regular salaries ($19,711,813), personal services matching ($7,545,516), maintenance and general operations ($8,691,380), contract services ($20,941,993), and rehabilitation program grants ($1,900,000).

Provides additional appropriations for specialized programs: $298,690 for Increasing Capabilities Access Network-Federal; $577,019 for Statewide Disability Telecommunication Equipment Program; $45,000 for People with Disabilities Program; $1,580,000 for Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Program; $863,400 for Cash Operations; and $380,680 for Promise Grant.

Authorizes student loan forgiveness program for eligible counselors with payments not exceeding $2,000 annually or $10,000 total per employee, with funding capped at $80,000 per fiscal year from rehabilitation program grants.