STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS31645 / H0713
JFAC approved a Statewide Decision for CEC for FY 2025 of a 1% across-the-board increase, plus an additional
2% merit-based raise, for permanent employees of the state. Judicial Salaries must be separately established by
the Legislature and are set forth in section 59-502, Idaho Code, which also indexes such salaries to a Supreme
Court Justice’s salary to avoid salary compression between the four types of judgeships. To accomplish the
intent of both the budget process as well as the salary statute, a 3% increase to the current Magistrate Judge
salary is first calculated. This calculation results in a $4,296 salary increase, which is then added to the Supreme
Court Justice salary so as to maintain the salary differentials currently existing in section 59-502, Idaho Code.
This results in a $4,296 salary increase per judicial officer. This bill sets the annual salary of a justice of the
Supreme Court at $169,508, which is a 2.6% increase of their current salary. As set forth in Idaho Code, the
difference between the salary of a Supreme Court Justice and a Court of Appeals Judge remains at $8,000
(resulting in a 2.7% salary increase for Court of Appeals Judges); the difference between the salary of a Court
of Appeals Judge and a District Judge remains at $6,000 (resulting in a 2.8% salary increase for District Judges);
and the difference between the salary of a District Judge and a Magistrate Judge remains at $8,000 (resulting
in a 3.0% salary increase for Magistrate Judges. If a judge elects to retire and does so at a time other than at the
conclusion of his term of office, the judicial vacancy created shall remain vacant until a qualified candidate is
successfully elected during the next available judicial election.
FISCAL NOTE
The total annual fiscal impact for increase in salary and associated benefits, which are paid from the general
fund, is $958,741.
Contact:
Representative Bruce D. Skaug
Senator Abby Lee
(208) 332-1000
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 03/13/2024, 9:01 AM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 1-2001, 59-502