MS HB1515

Appropriates $13,628,515.00 from the State General Fund and $9,998,275.00 from special funds to the State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017 - June 30, 2018).

Authorizes 450 permanent full-time positions, 2 permanent part-time positions, 11 time-limited full-time positions, and 0 time-limited part-time positions for the commission.

Allocates $250,000.00 to create the Forest Improvement Revolving Fund for reforestation and forest growth improvement on state lands, with landowners paying actual costs for services.

Creates two new revolving funds: the Volunteer Fire Department Equipment Conversion Revolving Fund (capped at $50,000.00) for wildland fire suppression equipment conversion and the Camden State Forest Revolving Fund for forest management activities on the Camden State Forest in Madison County.

Transfers $200,000.00 from the appropriated special funds to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce for the Beaver Control or Eradication Program during fiscal year 2018.