SB85 Summary

• Appropriates $18,235,054 from Parks and Tourism Fund Account for Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism - State Parks and Tourism Divisions for fiscal year 2023-2024, including $12,816,962 for regular salaries and $5,385,492 for personal services matching.

• Establishes maximum of 731 regular employees across 105 job classifications ranging from Parks Division Director (Grade SE01) to Maintenance Assistant and Waitress/Waiter positions (Grade GS01), plus authorizes up to 801 temporary or part-time "Extra Help" employees.

• Appropriates $65,577,178 from Conservation Tax Operations for state parks operations, including $6,988,368 in regular salaries, $2,134,077 in extra help, $12,394,284 in operating expenses, $3,500,000 in capital outlay, and $32,874,272 for construction.

• Appropriates additional funds for specialized programs: $968,619 for Retirement and Relocation Promotion Program, $1,023,528 for Keep Arkansas Beautiful Conservation Tax Operations, $28,396,603 for Tourism Promotion, $10,020,460 for Outdoor Recreation Grants, and $38,308,183 for Parks Cash Fund Operations.

• Amends Arkansas Code sections to codify special provisions regarding State Parks Division budget distribution reporting, uniform purchases, golf lesson contracts, and regional tourism grants; establishes effective date of July 1, 2023.