SB 267 Summary

• Appropriates $17,243,501 for Arkansas Agriculture Department operations for fiscal year 2017-2018, including regular salaries ($10,196,030), extra help ($74,131), personal services matching ($3,677,370), and maintenance and general operations ($2,858,438).

• Establishes maximum of 568 regular employees across all department divisions including administrative positions, forestry, plant board, livestock and poultry commission, and field operations.

• Authorizes up to 171 temporary or part-time "Extra Help" employees payable from appropriated funds at rates not exceeding those in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

• Appropriates additional funds for specialized programs including livestock and poultry operations ($1,149,620), egg grading ($3,556,980), diagnostic laboratory testing ($2,220,608), forestry operations ($10,902,064), and plant board administration ($8,891,892).

• Includes special language provisions authorizing fund transfers between livestock and poultry accounts, pest eradication programs, forestry emergency operations, and promotional items spending with prior approval from the Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee.