AR SB28

Establishes maximum of 290 regular employees for the Department of Veterans' Affairs for fiscal year 2018-2019, including positions ranging from ADVA Director to Recreational Activity Leaders across various salary grades.

Appropriates $2,026,859 from the Miscellaneous Agencies Fund for State Operations, including $1,205,205 for regular salaries, $403,587 for personal services matching, and $283,500 for aid to county veterans' service offices.

Appropriates $16,570,036 from cash funds for Veterans' Homes operations, including $6,771,753 for regular salaries, $2,812,398 for personal services matching, $246,000 for overtime, and $6,248,000 for operating expenses.

Appropriates $341,095 for Veterans' Cemeteries - State and $355,064 for Veterans' Cemeteries - Cash operations, plus $75,000 for the Military Funeral Honors Program and $10,000,000 in federal funds for North Little Rock Veterans' Cemetery construction and expansion.

Authorizes a contingency position pool and appropriation (limited to $250,000 per year in general revenue) to address growth in resident census at Fayetteville Veterans' Home and cemetery interments, subject to approval by the Chief Fiscal Officer and Legislative Council review.