(a)
(1) The State Highway Commission is hereby authorized to pay from funds appropriated for maintenance and operation a uniform allowance not to exceed one thousand eight hundred dollars ($1,800) per annum for all uniformed personnel of the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the Arkansas Department of Transportation.
(2) The above-mentioned per annum allowance shall be divided and paid on a monthly basis for each month of the employment for those eligible personnel of the Arkansas Highway Police Division of the department.
(b) Provided further, that when uniformed personnel are hired, they shall be paid an initial lump sum uniform allowance of two hundred dollars ($200) that shall be in addition to the monthly allowance as herein provided.