SB34

This bill provides the fiscal year 2023-2024 operating budget and staff authorizations for the Arkansas Legislative Council and the Bureau of Legislative Research. It establishes the maximum number of full-time and temporary positions, sets salary scales for these employees, and appropriates funds for personal services, operating expenses, committee operations, and travel. Furthermore, the bill includes provisions allowing the Director of the Bureau of Legislative Research to manage salary adjustments and transfer certain appropriations between line items to improve administrative flexibility. It also includes an emergency clause to ensure funding is available by the start of the fiscal year on July 1, 2023. The total appropriation for the agency's operations is approximately $20.39 million, with additional funding allocated for specific committee-related travel and expenses. The legislation essentially serves as a standard appropriations act required to fund the core administrative and research arms of the state legislature.