AR HB1779

Office of Personnel Management must identify state agency positions vacant for 2 or more years by June 15 of each calendar year and report findings annually to the Personnel Subcommittee of the Legislative Council.

State agencies cannot fill or utilize positions identified as vacant for 2+ years without prior approval from either the Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee (if General Assembly is in regular, fiscal, or extraordinary session).

Office must submit updated reports of long-vacant positions to Legislative Council and Joint Budget Committee at least 5 days before presession budget hearings preceding each regular and fiscal session, excluding positions already approved for use.

State agencies may request termination of positions no longer needed for necessary operations and have them identified as not requested for continued authorization at subsequent budget hearings.

Legislative Council must conduct a study on state employee position management and efficiency by December 1, 2022, and the act becomes effective immediately upon gubernatorial approval or veto override.