AR SB39

Appropriates $21.7 million for Department of Parks and Tourism State Operations for fiscal year 2018-2019, including $14.8 million in regular salaries and $617,888 in advertising expenses.

Establishes maximum of 794 regular employees across multiple classifications and authorizes 799 part-time or temporary "Extra Help" employees for the department.

Appropriates $53.9 million from Conservation Tax funds for personal services, operations, construction, and special maintenance of state parks and facilities.

Appropriates additional funds for specialized programs including tourism promotion ($16.07 million), outdoor recreation grants ($7.8 million), and War Memorial Stadium operations ($3.8 million).

Authorizes various special programs including wildlife observation trail grants ($1 million), small festival funding ($150,000 annually), and cash prizes for state park contests (up to $10,000 per fiscal year).