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CACR 22

relating to the compensation of the legislature. Providing that the present compensation per elected term for legislators is hereby abolished.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Diane Kelley and 2 co-sponsors

Abolishes lawmakers’ pay per elected term; replaces with a new constitutional framework for compensation, affecting legislators and state budgeting.

Remove from Table (Rep. H. Howard): MF DV 100-230 03/11/2026 HJ 7 P. 78
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Bill Summary · CACR 22

Summary: CACR 22 — Constitutional Amendment on Legislative Compensation

Overview

CACR 22 is a constitutional amendment bill that would change how legislators are compensated. Its core provision states that the current arrangement of compensation “per elected term” for legislators is abolished. The bill is classified as a constitutional amendment and, as of its latest status, is slated for introduction on January 7, 2026 and referral to the Legislative Administration committee.

  • Bill Number: CACR 22
  • Title: Relating to the compensation of the legislature. Providing that the present compensation per elected term for legislators is hereby abolished.
  • Classification: Constitutional amendment
  • Introduced: December 1, 2025
  • Status: To be introduced January 7, 2026; referred to Legislative Administration
  • Current reference: Version content lists the same procedural note as the bill’s status

Purpose and Intent

  • The bill aims to reform the compensation framework for state legislators by abolishing the existing system that awards compensation on a per-elected-term basis.
  • As a constitutional amendment, it seeks to alter the foundational rules governing legislator pay, potentially shifting to a different compensation structure established by statute or by a new constitutional framework (the bill would need to specify that framework if enacted).

Key Provisions (as stated)

  • Abolishment of “present compensation per elected term” for legislators.
  • Establishment of a constitutional mechanism (implicit by its nature as an amendment) to govern or replace how legislators are compensated, subject to further text that would be adopted if the amendment is approved.
  • Because the full text is not provided beyond the main abolishment clause, the bill does not specify alternate pay structures, implementation details, or transition rules within the information given.

Affected Parties

  • Elected state legislators, whose compensation structure would be fundamentally changed.
  • The public, as voters who would ultimately determine any statewide constitutional changes via ratification if required by the state’s constitution for constitutional amendments.
  • Legislative staff and administration responsible for implementing compensation changes, subject to the final language and any accompanying fiscal provisions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status notes indicate the bill is designated for introduction on January 7, 2026 and will be referred to the Legislative Administration committee upon introduction.
  • As a constitutional amendment, the bill would typically follow a process that may include approval by the legislature (often by a supermajority, depending on state rules) and, in many jurisdictions, a statewide voter referendum or other ratification mechanism.
  • The current summary does not provide a timetable for final passage, ballot submission, or effective date; those would depend on the state’s constitutional amendment procedures.

Potential Impact

  • If enacted and ratified, the amendment would eliminate the current per-term compensation model, prompting a transition to a new compensation framework (to be defined by subsequent statute or constitutional text).
  • Long-term fiscal implications would depend on the alternative compensation structure adopted, including total dollars, timing, and any transition provisions.
  • The change could influence legislative remuneration policy, budget planning, and public perception of legislative pay.

If you’d like, I can add a section outlining typical constitutional amendment processes for comparison, or draft a brief note on likely fiscal and governance considerations based on the state’s known practices.

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

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