ID H0553

Appropriates $1,455,700 to the Office of Energy Resources for the period July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2015, funded from five sources including Indirect Cost Recovery, Renewable Energy Resources, Miscellaneous Revenue, Petroleum Price Violation, and Federal Grant funds.

Limits the Office of Energy Resources to a maximum of 8 full-time equivalent positions during fiscal year 2015, unless specifically authorized by the Governor, with prompt notification to the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee for any increases.

Directs a 1% upward adjustment to the compensation schedule to move salary structure toward market rates.

Authorizes an ongoing 1% salary increase for state employees and funding equivalent to a one-time 1% bonus based on employee merit, with distribution flexibility determined by agency directors.

Encourages agency directors and the Division of Financial Management to use salary savings from turnover, attrition, or operational improvements to provide merit increases for deserving employees and those below policy compensation levels.