ID S1403

Appropriates $34,416,900 to the Department of Commerce for fiscal year 2015 (July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015) across multiple fund sources including General Fund ($5,890,000), Tourism and Promotion Fund ($8,399,500), and Federal Grant Fund ($16,389,000).

Authorizes the Department of Commerce no more than 49 full-time equivalent positions during the fiscal year, with any increases requiring Governor approval and Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee notification.

Directs a 1% upward adjustment to the compensation schedule to move salaries toward market rates and continues current job classifications on payline exception for recruitment and retention purposes.

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

Encourages agency directors to reinvest salary savings from turnover, attrition, or reorganization efforts into merit increases and compensation adjustments for deserving employees, with one-time funding reserved for one-time payments and ongoing funding for permanent increases.