AR SB45

Appropriates $17,299,781 from the State Central Services Fund for the Bureau of Legislative Research and Legislative Council for fiscal year 2017-2018, including regular salaries ($10,090,629), extra help ($150,000), personal services matching ($2,860,032), and operating expenses.

Authorizes a maximum of 130 regular employees for the Bureau with specified positions and salary grades ranging from Grade SE05 (Director) to Grade IT01 (Digital Research Tech), plus up to 31 part-time or temporary employees as needed.

Appropriates $271,060 for interim committee study expenses and $1,696,396 for interim committee member per diem, expenses, mileage, and out-of-state travel for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.

Appropriates $65,806 for Energy Council meeting expenses and reappropriates up to $2,000,000 from remaining balances in Act 79 of 2016.

Authorizes the Bureau to employ outside legal counsel with prior approval from the Legislative Council's Executive Subcommittee and allows the Director to transfer appropriations between line items and utilize additional job classifications at discretion.