AR HB1066

Appropriates $4,788,038 to the Department of Energy and Environment - Oil and Gas Commission for personal services and operating expenses for fiscal year 2024-2025, including $1,900,107 for regular salaries and $12,500,000 for well plugging program expenses.

Establishes maximum of 34 regular employees for the Oil and Gas Commission and authorizes up to 6 temporary/part-time employees, with similar staffing levels for the Office of the State Geologist (20 regular employees and 13 temporary/part-time employees).

Appropriates $1,993,251 to the Office of the State Geologist - Operations and $241,116 for Geological Research - Landslide/Sinkhole programs, plus additional allocations for map resale program ($49,000), earthquake awareness program ($6,505), and geology museum ($1,125).

Authorizes the Oil and Gas Commission to request transfers of up to $1,000,000 per year from the Oil and Gas Commission Fund to the Abandoned and Orphaned Well Plugging Fund, effective July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

Becomes effective July 1, 2024 as an emergency measure essential to agency operations.