ID H0596

Appropriates $11,069,500 from the General Fund and Federal Grant Fund to six special programs administered by the State Board of Education and Board of Regents of the University of Idaho for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015).

Programs funded include Forest Utilization Research ($887,100), Geological Survey ($821,100), Scholarships and Grants ($8,446,500), Museum of Natural History ($503,900), Small Business Development Centers ($260,500), and TechHelp ($150,400).

Authorizes no more than 32.13 full-time equivalent positions across all programs, with specific allocations including 7.68 for Forest Utilization Research, 10.28 for Geological Survey, and 1.35 for Scholarships and Grants.

Directs the State Board of Education and Board of Regents to adjust compensation schedules upward by 1% and fund an ongoing 1% salary increase for state employees plus a one-time 1% merit-based bonus to move toward competitive market salaries.

Encourages agencies to use salary savings from turnover and reorganization to provide merit increases and target employees below policy compensation levels.