Report Title:

Judiciary; Judges; Pay Raise

Description:

Provides a vehicle to pay judges any raises authorized by the Judicial Salary Commission.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2763

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO JUDICIAL SALARIES.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the ability to attract and retain highly qualified, competent, and experienced jurists for service as judges and justices is partly predicated on adequate compensation. Moreover, the determination of adequate levels of judicial compensation must be as free from political influences as possible. Therefore, during the regular session of 2003, Act 123 was enacted which reconfigured the members of the judicial salary commission (commission) and changed their role from that of advisor to the legislature, to one of determining the actual salaries of judges, justices, and appointed judiciary administrative officers. As of this regular legislative session, the commission's salary recommendation will become effective July 1, 2004, unless disapproved by adoption of a concurrent resolution by the legislature prior to adjournment sine die of the legislative session in which the judicial salary commission's recommendations are submitted. Funding for any salary increases, however, will not be submitted and included in the judiciary's budget until the next legislative session.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys for salary increases as determined by the commission that become effective on July 1, 2004, for fiscal year 2005. The determined salary amounts shall thereafter be included in the judiciary's proposed budget for subsequent years.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, to provide salary increases as determined by the judicial salary commission. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the judiciary for purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________