HB1076 Summary

• Establishes maximum of 476 regular employees and 19 temporary/part-time employees for the Department of Commerce - Arkansas Rehabilitation Services for fiscal year 2020-2021, with specified job classifications and salary grades.

• Appropriates $57,842,201 for operations including $19,509,401 in regular salaries, $6,859,918 in personal services matching, $7,401,096 in operating expenses, $2,647,183 in rehabilitation program grants, $17,904,363 in contract services, and $2,782,159 for Project Search.

• Appropriates additional funds for specialized programs: $337,421 for Increasing Capabilities Access Network-Federal, $397,544 for Statewide Disability Telecommunication Equipment Program, $6,325 for People with Disabilities Program, $532,085 for Technology Equipment Revolving Loan Program, and $356,542 for Cash Operations.

• Authorizes a waiver allowing Arkansas Rehabilitation Services to provide college-level coursework in degree programs for eligible employees to comply with federal Comprehensive System of Personnel Development requirements.

• Establishes a Forgiveness of Student Loan Program for counselors with maximum payments of $2,000 per year or $10,000 per employee, funded from Rehabilitation Program Grants with a fiscal year cap of $80,000, effective July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.