S.B. 491 Summary

• Appropriates funds to the Department of Agriculture for the fiscal biennium July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2021 for operating expenses across three programs: Quality and Price Assurance (AGR151), General Administration for Agriculture (AGR192), and Measurement Standards (AGR812).

• Authorizes 3.00 permanent full-time equivalent positions for Quality and Price Assurance, 1.00 for General Administration, and 4.00 for Measurement Standards, funded through general funds (A) and special funds (B).

• Designates specific appropriation amounts for individual positions including a commodities program manager ($89,878 annually), agricultural commodities marketing specialists, measurement standards inspectors ($153,936 for three positions), and an administrative services officer ($94,932 annually).

• Permits authorized positions to be in addition to positions under the General Appropriations Act of 2019 and allows incumbent employees to retain civil service status, salary, seniority, and accrued benefits.

• Takes effect June 28, 2019, and allows the governor to transfer appropriated funds with approval to the General Appropriations Act of 2019 for program execution.