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SF 544

A bill for an act relating to salaries and allowances of state elected officials, and including effective date and applicability provisions.

2025-2026 Regular Session

The bill raises salaries for Iowa legislators and statewide officials, expands leadership pay, and adds a COLA tied to executive pay from 2027 onward.

Referred to State Government.
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Bill Summary · SF 544

Summary of Iowa SF 544 (2025)

Overview

SF 544 is a comprehensive bill addressing salaries and allowances for state elected officials and members of the General Assembly. It codifies and increases compensation for both legislative and statewide elected executives, and establishes period-based cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) tied to the executive branch. The bill was introduced March 6, 2025 and referred to the State Government committee, which reported the bill on the same day it was introduced.

Key Provisions

Division I — Legislative Salaries

  • General Assembly members' salaries increase by $20,000 per year.
  • Legislative district constituency allowances (postage, travel, telephone, and other expenses) increase by $150 per month.
  • Leadership salary increases:
    • Speaker of the House, presiding officer of the Senate, and both majority and minority leaders in each chamber: +$30,000.
    • President pro tempore of the Senate and Speaker pro tempore of the House: +$22,000.
  • Cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for legislators:
    • Beginning in 2028 through 2043, annual base salaries for members and officers of the General Assembly would receive a COLA equal to the lesser of (a) the annual COLA paid to executive branch noncontract state employees in the preceding fiscal year, or (b) 3%.
  • Constitutional timing note:
    • The base salary increases for General Assembly members apply upon the convening of the 92nd General Assembly in January 2027.
  • Effective date:
    • This division takes effect January 1, 2027.

Division II — Salaries of Statewide Elected Executive Officials

  • The bill codifies and increases salaries for statewide elected executives: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of State, Treasurer of State, Secretary of Agriculture, and Attorney General.
  • Specific increases:
    • Governor: +$100,000.
    • Lieutenant Governor: +$36,788.
    • Secretary of State, Auditor of State, State Treasurer, Secretary of Agriculture: +$76,788 each.
    • (The text indicates the Attorney General is included in the same structure of increases, though the exact amount for AG is not shown in the excerpt provided.)
  • These increases apply to the respective offices and are intended to align compensation with the bill’s framework for executive officials.

Affected Parties

  • All members of the Iowa General Assembly (House and Senate) and their leadership.
  • Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor, Treasurer, Secretary of Agriculture, and Attorney General.
  • State employees in the executive branch (as the COLA is tied to their payroll adjustments).

Timing and Process

  • Effective date for Division I: January 1, 2027.
  • Base legislative salaries and related increases apply upon the convening of the 92nd General Assembly in January 2027.
  • COLA adjustments for the General Assembly would run annually from 2028 through 2043.
  • Legislative actions to date: introduced March 6, 2025; referred to State Government on March 6, 2025; committee report approved the same day; subsequent status shows ongoing consideration (as of June 16, 2025, SF 544 remained under State Government).

Impact and Notes

  • Substantial increase in compensation for both legislative and executive officials, plus increased monthly expense allowances for legislators.
  • Long-range fiscal implications through 2043 due to recurring annual salary increases and ongoing COLA adjustments.
  • Reflects alignment with executive compensation growth through COLA linkage, subject to constitutional and fiscal considerations.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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