AR HB1087

Establishes a maximum of 10 employees for the Arkansas State Claims Commission for fiscal year 2016-2017, including 5 Claims Commissioners, 1 Director, 1 Administrative Analyst, and 3 Administrative Specialists II.

Appropriates $595,163 from the State Central Services Fund for personal services and operating expenses, comprising $359,930 in regular salaries, $139,843 in personal services matching, $92,390 in operating expenses, and $3,000 in conference and travel costs.

Appropriates $1,750,000 from the Miscellaneous Revolving Fund to pay claims awarded to surviving spouses and dependent children of deceased police officers, firefighters, and correctional officers killed in the line of duty, as well as small controversial and non-controversial claims approved by the Commission.

Directs the Claims Commission Clerk to process employment compensation claim awards through the State Mechanized Payroll System rather than distributing warrants directly, with affected state agencies handling payment.

Effective July 1, 2016 with an emergency clause authorizing immediate implementation to ensure continuous operation of the agency.