HB1017

House Bill 1017 is a budgetary appropriation act that establishes the funding and staffing levels for the Arkansas Public Service Commission (PSC) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill outlines authorized employee positions and salary grades across three specific divisions: Utilities, Tax, and the Pipeline Safety Program. It appropriates specific amounts for salaries, operating expenses, professional services, and data processing for each division. Additionally, the bill provides for an extra help allowance for temporary or part-time staffing in both the Utilities and Tax divisions. It includes a section authorizing a $1,000,000 contingency fund for the Utilities Division, which may be accessed under specific conditions requiring gubernatorial and legislative oversight. The primary purpose is to ensure the ongoing operational capacity of the PSC in regulating public utilities and performing tax valuation duties.