Section 15-41-122 - Cost-of-living increases and merit pay(a) Employees of the Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission may receive cost-of-living and merit pay adjustments at the discretion of the commission.(b) The commission may develop and establish a merit pay system that shall be reviewed by the Legislative Council or, if the General Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget Committee.(c) The commission may establish merit payments as either of the following, based on sufficiency of funding: (1) An increase to an employee's base salary; or(d) Commission employees shall be evaluated using an instrument developed by the commission that incorporates performance evaluation standards.(e)(1) If cost-of-living or merit pay adjustments are awarded, employees reaching the maximum rate of pay for their respective classifications may receive merit pay or cost-of-living adjustments in a lump-sum payment.(2) Additional compensation under this section shall not be construed as exceeding the line item maximum for that position classification.Added by Act 2019, No. 717,§ 8, eff. 7/1/2019.