The bill proposes significant amendments to the Code of West Virginia, primarily focusing on increasing the annual salaries of various judges, including justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit court judges, family court judges, and judges of the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Starting July 1, 2025, justices' salaries will rise to $154,600, with a further increase to $159,600 by July 1, 2026. Circuit judges will see their salaries increase to $143,600 in 2025 and $148,600 in 2026, while family court judges will have their salaries adjusted to $113,950 in 2025 and $118,950 in 2026. Additionally, the bill introduces a requirement for judges to contribute to the judicial retirement system, with the employer's contribution suspended until certain conditions are met.

Moreover, the legislation clarifies contribution rates for judges in the retirement system, establishing a minimum of seven percent and a maximum of ten and one-half percent based on annual actuarial valuations. It disallows previous practices that allowed for the discontinuation of required contributions before retirement, ensuring equal treatment among judges. The bill also outlines eligibility criteria for retirement benefits, including a minimum service requirement of twelve years for judges, with specific provisions for those appointed or elected after July 1, 2005. Furthermore, it establishes new salary provisions for judges of the Intermediate Court of Appeals, setting their annual salary at $142,500, with increases to $147,500 in 2025 and $152,500 in 2026, and includes provisions for the reimbursement of necessary expenses incurred by judges and their staff while performing their duties. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 50-1-3, 51-1-10a, 51-2-13, 51-2A-6, 51-11-11
Committee Substitute: 50-1-3, 51-2-13, 51-2A-6
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 50-1-3, 51-2-13, 51-2A-6
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 51-1-10a, 51-2A-6, 51-9-4, 51-11-11