Relates to the appropriation to the Department of Lands for fiscal year 2021.

This is the FY 2021 original appropriation bill for the Department of Lands. It appropriates a total of $64,297,100 and caps the number of authorized full-time equivalent positions at 327.82. For benefit costs, the bill maintains the current appropriated amount for health insurance at $11,650 per eligible FTP and temporarily removes funding for the employer's sick leave contribution rate. Funding for replacement items includes $1,344,800 for 11 vehicles, four fire engines, trailers, and communication equipment. The bill also provides funding for the equivalent of a 2% change in employee compensation for permanent state employees, with an additional 2% increase for those in the 20 job classifications most in need of equity adjustments. Funding for a 3% upward shift in the compensation schedule is also included. The bill funds seven line items, which provide $765,000 for increased harvest and a direct sales pilot project; 3.00 FTP and $3,411,800 for expansion of Shared Stewardship and the Good Neighbor Authority; 1.00 FTP and $94,500 to hire an individual to manage permits for public encroachments and submerged land leases; $96,000 to hire an IT business analyst to support the roll out of the Lands Information Management System; $66,000 to double fill scaler positions for continuity training as the two scalars are nearing retirement; $182,000 for increased server license costs; and $18,100 for a 2% change in employee compensation and inflationary adjustment for the two Timber Protective Associations. Also included are adjustments to pay the Office of Information Technology Services for security software and data center office space located at the Chinden Campus; and billings in excess of current appropriations. Lastly, the ongoing General Fund appropriation is reduced by 2%, with a fund shift of $25,400 to dedicated funds to prevent a decrease in services. DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and