This bill appropriates funds for the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, specifically targeting the State Parks and Tourism Divisions. It establishes a maximum of 731 regular employees and allows for 801 part-time or temporary "Extra Help" employees, with a total allocation of $18,235,054 for state operations. The bill also includes funding for various initiatives such as the Keep Arkansas Beautiful program, the Museum of Natural Resources, and the War Memorial Stadium, with significant appropriations of $65,577,178 for Conservation Tax Operations and $1,505,837 for War Memorial Stadium operations.

Additionally, the bill amends sections of the Arkansas Code to improve the operational framework of the Department, requiring the State Parks Division to submit annual financial requests and semiannual expenditure reports. It introduces a special maintenance program for state parks, allows for cash prizes in contests, and allocates funds for a Mississippi River marketing plan. The bill also ensures $150,000 annually for small festivals in communities with populations under 10,500 and permits the purchase of uniforms for personnel and grants for regional tourist promotion agencies. The provisions are effective from July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation.

Statutes affected:
SB 85: 15-11-406
Act 344: 15-11-406