House Bill 618 Summary

• Appropriates $21,667,200 to the Department of Water Resources for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) across four programs: Management and Support Services, Planning and Technical Services, Water Management, and Northern Idaho Adjudication.

• Limits the Department of Water Resources to no more than 152 full-time equivalent positions during fiscal year 2015, unless specifically authorized by the Governor.

• Transfers $716,000 from the Revolving Development Fund to the Secondary Aquifer Planning, Management, and Implementation Fund on July 1, 2014.

• Exempts the Department from restrictions on transferring funds between object codes and programs, allowing unlimited transfers between categories for the fiscal year, provided legislative appropriations are not transferred between different funds without express legislative approval.

• Directs employee compensation adjustments including a 1% upward adjustment to the compensation schedule, continuation of payline exceptions for recruitment and retention, and funding for a 1% ongoing salary increase plus a one-time 1% merit-based bonus for state employees.