House Bill 615 Summary

• Appropriates $66,006,900 to the Department of Environmental Quality for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) for administration, air quality, water quality, waste management, and other programs across multiple funding sources.

• Authorizes a maximum of 355 full-time equivalent positions during the fiscal year, with the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to be notified of any increases authorized by the Governor.

• Transfers $1,500,000 from the Water Pollution Control Fund to the Environmental Remediation Basin Fund in monthly installments for Coeur d'Alene Basin remediation activities under the federal Superfund contract.

• Requires the Department of Environmental Quality to file an annual report with the Governor, Legislature, and Coeur d'Alene Basin Environmental Improvement Project Commission on remediation progress and expenditures.

• Directs compensation increases including a 1% upward adjustment to the compensation schedule, continuation of payline exception job classifications for recruitment or retention, and funding for 1% ongoing salary increases plus 1% one-time merit bonuses for state employees.