Bill Description: House Bill 713 would increase judges' salaries by 3% or less. It also establishes that if a judge retires before the end of a term, the seat remains vacant until the next election. 

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

House Bill 713 would amend Section 59-502, Idaho Code, to increase the annual salary of the justices of the Supreme Court from $165,212 to $169,508. This is a 2.6% increase. The salaries of other judges would increase accordingly because they are based on Supreme Court salaries. The largest increase, 3%, would go to magistrate judges.

This increase is consistent with the statewide change in employee compensation (CEC) of up to 3%, which is based on a 1% across-the-board increase plus an additional 2% merit-based raise. 

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Does it in any way restrict public access to information related to government activity or otherwise compromise government transparency, accountability, or election integrity? Conversely, does it increase public access to information related to government activity or increase government transparency, accountability, or election integrity?

House Bill 713 would also amend Section 1-2001, Idaho Code, to say that if a Supreme Court justice, judge of the court of appeals, or district judge of the district court elects to retire before the end of his or her term, "the judicial vacancy created shall remain vacant until a qualified candidate … is successfully elected during the next available judicial election." 

The governor would only appoint a replacement if a qualified candidate is not elected during the next election. 

This change could reduce the practice of judges retiring before the end of their terms in order to usher in their preferred successors through appointment rather than election. 

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