This bill amends current law to provide for annual cost-of-living adjustments to the allowance for legislative member staff services. Currently, members of the Senate and General Assembly receive a fixed allowance of $150,000 for staff services. The new provision, effective from January 1 following the bill's enactment, mandates that this allowance be adjusted annually by the State Treasurer based on the percent change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the New York-Northern New Jersey-Long Island Metropolitan Area. Adjustments will only occur if the CPI change is greater than zero, and the State Treasurer will determine the adjustment amount by December 1 each year, with the new allowance taking effect the following January.

The bill aims to ensure that the allowance for legislative staff services keeps pace with inflation, thereby maintaining its purchasing power over time. The first adjustment will be determined as soon as practicable after the bill's enactment, with subsequent adjustments occurring annually. This change reflects a commitment to providing adequate resources for legislative staff in light of economic changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 52:10A-1