AR SB12

Establishes a maximum of 625 regular employees for the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission for fiscal year 2018-2019, with position classifications and salary ranges from $34,048 to $152,638 annually.

Appropriates $123,972,887 from the Game Protection Fund for personal services and operating expenses, including $39,586,383 for regular salaries, $1,187,500 for extra help, and allocations for overtime, uniforms, operations, capital outlays, grants, and construction.

Authorizes an additional $5,064,685 from gas lease revenues for operating expenses, capital projects, land acquisition, and conservation easements.

Appropriates $13,599,347 total for specialized programs: $100,000 for conservation partners program grants, $13,349,347 for Black River Wildlife Management Area restoration, and $250,000 for feral hog eradication efforts.

Permits up to 185 part-time or temporary employees at rates not exceeding 85% of comparable position maximums and limited to 1,800 hours per fiscal year; authorizes compensation differentials up to 12% of base salary and cost-of-living/merit pay increases subject to legislative review.