HB 1017 Summary

• Appropriates $11,342,654 for the Arkansas Public Service Commission - Utilities Division for fiscal year 2024-2025, including $6,496,872 for regular salaries and $2,181,013 for personal services matching

• Establishes maximum of 90 regular employees for Utilities Division and authorizes 6 temporary/part-time "Extra Help" employees at rates not exceeding the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act

• Appropriates $1,819,677 for the Tax Division (15 regular employees maximum, 5 temporary employees authorized) and $1,096,270 for the Pipeline Safety Program (10 regular employees maximum)

• Provides $1,000,000 contingency appropriation for the Utilities Division, with transfer authority requiring Governor and Chief Fiscal Officer approval after Legislative Council or Joint Budget Committee review

• Includes special language authorizing travel expense reimbursements to be credited back to original appropriations and declaring an emergency effective date of July 1, 2024