Bill Description: House Bill 124 would significantly increase salaries of Idaho supreme court justices and other judges.

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Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

House Bill 124 would amend Section 59-502, Idaho Code, to increase the salaries of Idaho Supreme Court justices and other judges.

Under the increases contained in this bill, the salary of Supreme Court justices would increase from $169,508 to $215,000, which is a 26.8% increase of $45,492. 

Because the salaries of other judges are indexed to the salaries of Supreme Court justices, their salaries would increase by the same dollar amount, with an even greater percentage increase. The salary for a Court of Appeals judge would increase from 161,508 to $207,000, an increase of 28.2%. The salary for a district judge would increase from $155,508 to $201,000, an increase of 29.3%. The salary for a magistrate judge would increase from $147,508 to $193,000, an increase of 30.8%. 

These significant increases, which the bill's fiscal note estimates would cost Idaho taxpayers more than $10 million annually, are not justified by inflation or by the CEC awarded to other state employees.

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An additional factor to consider is that judges’ pensions are based on their final salary, not their average salary, or how much they have paid into the state employee retirement system. These significant salary increases would also result in significant pension spikes for judges who retire after these increases take effect. 

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