Appropriates $34,239,400 to the Division of Veterans Services for fiscal year 2019; limits the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions to 346.00; and provides reappropriation authority for the second veterans cemetery for fiscal year 2019.

This is the FY 2019 original appropriation bill for the Division of Veterans Services. It appropriates $34,239,400 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 346.00. For benefit costs, the bill removes $1,450 per eligible FTP to bring the annual employer contribution for health insurance down to $11,650 by including a two-month employee and employer premium holiday, adds a 6.8% increase for life insurance, and adjusts funding for workers' compensation in amounts that vary by agency. Funding for replacement items includes $487,000 for items that are to be determined by the administrator. For statewide cost allocation, $6,700 is provided, as Attorney General fees will increase by $18,000, fees for Legislative Audits will decrease by $7,000, risk management costs will decrease by $10,700, State Controller fees will increase by $6,500, and State Treasurer fees will decrease by $100. The bill also provides funding for a 3% ongoing merit-based salary increase for permanent employees, to be distributed at the discretion of the agency head, and a 3% increase in the compensation schedule. The bill funds four line items. The first line item provides $227,300 to provide pay increases for staff at the Lewiston Veteran Home. The second line item provides $133,800 for new capital outlay items. The third line item provides $150,000 for grants from the Veterans Recognition Income Fund. The fourth line item provides $20,000 to account for changes in rules related to personal property for veterans living in one of the three Idaho homes. Finally, this bill also provides reappropriation authority for the division to carryforward federal funds related to the implementation of a second veterans cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho.