This bill proposes amendments to various sections of the Code of West Virginia regarding the salaries and retirement benefits of judges. It includes significant salary increases for justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals, circuit court judges, family court judges, and judges of the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Specifically, the bill stipulates that the annual salary for a justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals will increase to $154,600 starting July 1, 2026, and to $159,600 by July 1, 2027. Similarly, circuit judges will see their salaries rise to $143,600 and $148,600 in the same time frame, while family court judges will have their salaries increased to $113,950 and $118,950. Additionally, judges of the Intermediate Court of Appeals will have their salaries set at $147,500 and $152,500 for the same years.

Furthermore, the bill addresses the employee contributions to the Judges' Retirement Fund, mandating a contribution of seven percent of the salary received by judges starting July 1, 2025. It also clarifies that the employer's contribution to the retirement system will be suspended until certain conditions are met. The bill aims to ensure that judges contribute fairly to their retirement while also providing for their increased compensation, reflecting the importance of their roles within the judicial system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 51-1-10a, 51-2-13, 51-2A-6, 51-9-4, 51-11-11