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SCR 1003

compensation; elective state officers; inflation

57th Legislature - First Regular Session Introduced by John Kavanagh

Arizona legislators’ pay would automatically adjust each January for inflation using CPI, while other elected offices remain subject to a salary commission and voter approval.

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Bill Summary · SCR 1003

Summary — SCR 1003 (2025): Compensation; Elective State Officers; Inflation

Status: DP (Senate Concurrent Resolution 1003)
Introduced: Jan 6, 2025 | Sponsor: Sen. John Kavanagh
Classification: Concurrent resolution proposing a state constitutional amendment

Purpose

SCR 1003 proposes an amendment to Article V, Section 12 of the Arizona Constitution to change how the salaries of state legislators are adjusted annually by indexing those salaries to inflation (or deflation). It also clarifies the existing process for setting salaries of other elective state officers through a commission and executive/legislative procedures.

Key provisions

  • Annual CPI adjustment for legislators

    • The salary for state legislators will be the most recent voter‑approved amount adjusted annually (on January 1) up or down for inflation or deflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI), or a successor index, as published by the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics (or successor agency).
    • The adjusted annual salary takes effect on the second Monday in January each year.

  • Salaries for other elective state officers

    • Salaries for elective offices other than state legislator continue to be established by law and remain subject to existing constitutional limitations (references to Article VI §33 and Article IV, part 2 §17).
    • Such salaries may be altered by the procedures established in the section or by law.

  • Commission on Salaries for Elective State Officers

    • Authorizes a commission (five members appointed from private life): two appointed by the governor and one each by the president of the Senate, the Speaker of the House, and the Chief Justice.
    • The commission reports salary recommendations to the governor. For non‑legislative offices the governor submits recommendations to the legislature; those recommendations become effective unless altered or disapproved within the statutory period.
    • For legislative salaries the commission certifies recommendations to the Secretary of State to be placed on the next regular general election ballot with the question whether voters accept them. If approved they take effect at the beginning of the next regular legislative session.

Who is affected

  • Primary: Arizona state legislators (automatic annual CPI adjustments).
  • Secondary: Other elective state officeholders (process for their salaries remains via commission/governor/legislature and subject to voter action for legislative pay recommendations).
  • Indirect: State budget planners, taxpayers, and voters (who may continue to approve certain salary recommendations).

Procedural / timeline notes

  • This is a proposed constitutional amendment — it must be approved by voters. The Secretary of State is directed to place the proposition on the next general election ballot under Article XXI.
  • Adjusted legislative salaries would take effect on the second Monday in January following each annual adjustment.
  • Legislative action history (selected): Prefiled Jan 6, 2025; passed Senate and transmitted to House; recorded actions include committee do‑pass votes and readings in both chambers (see legislative history for full dates).

Potential impacts / considerations

  • Automatic CPI indexing removes the need for annual legislative votes to change legislator pay and ties changes to measurable inflation/deflation.
  • Creates predictability for legislators’ compensation and for budgeting personnel costs, but may result in automatic annual increases to compensation in times of inflation.
  • Retains voter approval role for commission recommendations for legislative salaries (ballot question), preserving direct voter input for recommended changes certified by the commission.

This resolution proposes a constitutional change and will take effect only if approved by Arizona voters at the next regular general election.

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

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