House Concurrent Resolution No. 4, introduced by the Ways and Means Committee, addresses the compensation of Idaho's legislative members as determined by the Citizens' Committee on Legislative Compensation. The resolution notes that the committee has approved a base salary of $25,000 per year for legislators from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2026, which represents a 26% increase from the previous salary of $19,913. This increase aims to align legislative compensation more closely with that of other state employees, as legislative salaries have lagged behind increases for judges and constitutional officers since 2005. The resolution also highlights that Idaho's legislators rank 12th out of 25 part-time legislatures in terms of compensation, and their salaries have decreased in purchasing power over the past two decades.

In light of the approved salary increase, the resolution provides an option for individual legislators who feel their compensation is excessive to donate all or a portion of their salary back to the taxpayers of Idaho through the Tax Relief Fund. This provision allows legislators to express their commitment to fiscal responsibility and taxpayer relief while acknowledging the constitutional authority of the Citizens' Committee to set compensation rates. The resolution ultimately seeks to balance the need for fair compensation for legislative work with the concerns of those who believe the increase may be too substantial.