AR SB162

Appropriates $17,814,279 to the Arkansas Agriculture Department - Operations for fiscal year 2019-2020, including regular salaries of $10,666,211 and extra help of $96,031.

Establishes maximum of 574 regular employees across various classifications, from Secretary of Agriculture (Grade SE02) to Administrative Specialist II (Grade GS03), plus authorization for 171 temporary or part-time extra help employees.

Appropriates additional funds to multiple specialized programs including Livestock and Poultry ($1,052,386), Egg Grading ($3,532,042), Agri Laboratory Testing ($2,258,466), Plant Board ($10,243,884), and Forestry Operations ($13,904,355).

Authorizes appropriations for forestry programs totaling $3,750,000 for State Forestry Trust Program, $872,884 for Rural Community Fire Protection, and $1,200,000 for Rural Fire Protection Service Loans.

Includes special provisions allowing fund transfers with Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee approval for pest eradication, wildfire response, and livestock/poultry commission operations, effective July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020.