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H 1819

An Act relative to judicial compensation

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Meg Kilcoyne

Massachusetts bill adjusting judicial compensation to improve recruitment and retention of qualified judges in state courts.

Accompanied a study order, see H5281 (under House Rule 27)
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Bill Summary · H 1819

Legislative bill overview

H 1819 is a Massachusetts bill that addresses compensation levels for judges in the state judicial system. The bill was introduced by Representative Meg Kilcoyne and has been referred to the Judiciary Committee for consideration. As of late 2025, the bill is scheduled for hearings to discuss its provisions.

Why is this important

Judicial compensation directly affects the ability of states to attract and retain qualified judges, which impacts court efficiency and the quality of justice administration. Inadequate judicial salaries can lead to experienced judges leaving the bench and difficulty recruiting competent legal professionals for judicial positions. This bill's outcome could influence Massachusetts' judicial system's capacity to function effectively.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Increasing judicial salaries requires budget allocation that may compete with other state priorities or require tax adjustments
  • Equity concerns: Changes to judicial compensation could raise questions about parity across different court levels and whether increases are distributed fairly
  • Market competitiveness: Debate may center on whether proposed salary levels are necessary to compete with private sector legal compensation and retain judicial talent

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

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