(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, this subchapter does not apply to:
(1) The employees of:
(A) Elected constitutional officers of this state;
(B) The General Assembly, including employees of the Bureau of Legislative Research and Arkansas Legislative Audit; and
(C) Members of the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, circuit courts, prosecuting attorneys, and the Administrative Office of the Courts;
(2) The Arkansas Department of Transportation;
(3) Federal military technicians, military training support personnel, federally funded personnel of the Arkansas National Guard, and other military personnel who are paid directly by the federal government;
(4) The Arkansas State Game and Fish Commission; and
(5) State-supported institutions of higher education.
(b)
(1) An employee described in subsection (a) of this section may receive:
(A) A salary increase or a line item maximum increase under § 21-5-211; and
(B) A merit pay increase under § 21-5-1101.
(2) Section 21-5-214 does not apply to the salary increase authorized by subdivision (b)(1)(A) of this section.