MS HB1654

Appropriates $17,847,780.00 from the State General Fund and $11,989,497.00 from special funds to the State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2014 (July 1, 2013 - June 30, 2014).

Authorizes 449 permanent full-time, 2 permanent part-time, 6 time-limited full-time, and 0 time-limited part-time positions for the commission.

Creates three revolving funds: the Forest Improvement Revolving Fund ($250,000), the Volunteer Fire Department Equipment Conversion Revolving Fund (up to $50,000), and the Camden State Forest Revolving Fund for forest management activities.

Transfers $200,000 to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce for the Beaver Control or Eradication Program during fiscal year 2014.

Authorizes up to $1,000,000 for career ladder implementation for firefighters and forest rangers, and allows escalation of part-time positions up to 100 during periods of extreme wildfire occurrences.