STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS28595 / S1137
JFAC approved CEC for FY 2022 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 differentials currently
existing in section 59-502, Idaho Code. Two percent of total judicial payroll is $583,000, but the proposal is to
utilize less, specifically $556,900. This bill sets the annual salary of a justice of the Supreme Court at $160,400,
which is a 1.6% 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 1.8% 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 $556,900, which is a 1.8% increase in the total judicial payroll. However, if sick leave benefits are
reduced pursuant to the Governor's recommendation, the actual fiscal impact will be less.
Contact:
Barry Wood, Senior District Judge
Sara Omundson, Administrative Director 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: 02/23/2021, 8:15 AM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 59-502