(a) In the event that sufficient revenues in the judgment of the Secretary of State exist, the Secretary of State may make additional salary payments from those funds to those employees who have attained law enforcement certification above the basic certificate level, as defined by the Arkansas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Training.
(b) It is the intent of this section that the payment shall be optional, at the discretion of the Secretary of State, dependent on sufficient revenues, and shall not be implemented using funds specifically set aside for other programs within the office of the Secretary of State.
(c)
(1) Employees shall be eligible for all or a portion of additional salary payments scheduled as follows:
(A) General certificate — three hundred dollars ($300) annually;
(B) Intermediate certificate — six hundred dollars ($600) annually;
(C) Advanced certificate — nine hundred dollars ($900) annually; and
(D) Senior certificate — one thousand two hundred dollars ($1,200) annually.
(2) Payment of additional salary payments may be made monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or annually depending upon the availability of revenues and shall be restricted to the following classifications:
(A) State Capitol Police Chief;
(B) State Capitol Police Assistant Chief;
(C) State Capitol Police sergeant; and
(D) State Capitol Police corporal.
(d)
(1) Payments made under this section which are awarded as partial or lump-sum payments shall not be considered as salary for purposes of retirement benefits but shall be subject to withholding of all applicable federal and state taxes.
(2) Payments made under this section shall not be construed as exceeding the maximum annual salary of the employee.