AR HB1076

Establishes maximum of 31 regular employees for the Department of Energy and Environment - Oil and Gas Commission for fiscal year 2021-2022, including 1 director, 2 senior petroleum engineers, 3 senior petroleum geologists, and other technical and administrative staff.

Authorizes 6 temporary or part-time "Extra Help" employees to be paid at rates not exceeding those in the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act.

Appropriates $4,229,370 from the Oil and Gas Commission Fund for personal services, operating expenses, conferences, travel, professional fees, pollution control, data processing, geological research, and other operational costs.

Appropriates $12,500,000 from the Abandoned and Orphaned Well Plugging Fund for well plugging program expenses and $200,000 from cash funds for refunds and reimbursements.

Authorizes the Oil and Gas Commission to request transfers of up to $1,000,000 annually or $10,000,000 in a one-time emergency transfer from the Oil and Gas Commission Fund to the Abandoned and Orphaned Well Plugging Fund, effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022.