STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS27742 / S1357
JFAC approved a Statewide Decision for CEC for FY 2021 of a 2% pay increase 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 2% increase in the total judicial payroll is first calculated. This sum is divided so as to maintain
the salary gaps existing under section 59-502, Idaho Code. The 2% increase is $551,600, but the proposal is
to utilize less than 2%, specifically $536,900. When distributed to maintain the existing statutory gaps, this
results in a $2,600 salary increase per judge. This bill sets the annual salary of a justice of the Supreme Court at
$157,800, which is a 1.7% increase of their current salary. As set forth in established Idaho Code, the difference
between the salary of a Supreme Court Justice and a Court of Appeals Judge remains at $10,000 (resulting in
a 1.8% 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 1.9% salary increase for District Judges); and, the
difference between the salary of a District Judge and a Magistrate Judge remains at $12,000 (resulting in a 2.0%
salary increase for Magistrate Judges).
FISCAL NOTE
The total annual fiscal impact for this increase in salary and associated benefits, which are paid from the general
fund, is $536,900, which is a 1.8% increase in the total judicial payroll.
Contact:
Jason Spillman , Legal Counsel
Administrative Office of the Courts
(208) 334-2246
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: 02/21/2020, 4:05 PM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 59-502