MS HB1653

Appropriates $14,613,837.00 from the State General Fund and $14,519,197.00 from special funds to the State Forestry Commission for fiscal year 2020 (July 1, 2019 - June 30, 2020).

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

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

Transfers $200,000 from appropriated special funds to the Department of Agriculture and Commerce for the Beaver Control or Eradication Program in fiscal year 2020.

Provides up to 3% pay increases to the Variable Compensation Plan for all full-time employees and establishes performance measures for forest protection, suppression time, prescribed burns, and forest management activities.