REVISED
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS29849 / H0782
This legislation addresses the filling of judicial vacancies and changes the term of appointment from six (6)
years to four (4) years. In addition, it does the following: (1) It changes the way the members of the Judicial
Council are chosen. The judicial members would be selected by the supreme court, the non-judicial attorney
members would be appointed by the governor from a list of three from the Idaho State Bar, and there would
be no change to the manner of approving public members. (2) It changes the membership from seven (7)
members to eleven (11) members to add a magistrate judge as a member of the Council, changes the number
of non-judicial attorney members to four with requirements for diversity and parity among practice areas, and
increases the number of non-attorney members to four. (3) This legislation also allows the Governor to reject
a slate of nominees provided by the Judicial Council to fill a judicial vacancy. (4) It makes public information
concerning the applicants to fill a judicial vacancy who are on a slate of applicants provided to the Governor
for appointment. (5) It allows applicants to see survey comments which are solicited from Idaho State Bar
members and the public, which previously were withheld from applicants, but provides that comments are not
public. (6) It changes the salary of the supreme court justices to $163,655 per year and adjusts the pay scale of
lower courts from a fixed amount to a percentage to prevent compacting the pay scales. (7) Finally, it removes
an exception allowing the judicial branch to submit their annual budget request a month later than other state
agencies.
FISCAL NOTE
This legislation would have a negative impact to the general fund in the amount of $1,112,600 for judicial salary
and benefits.
Contact:
Representative Greg Chaney
(208) 332-1000
Senator Abby Lee
(208) 332-1000
Representative Mike Moyle
(208) 332-1000
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 REVISED: 03/16/2022, 4:57 PM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 1-2101, 1-2102, 59-502, 67-3502, 74-104, 48-1509