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H 188

SALARIES OF JUDGES – Amends existing law to revise provisions regarding salaries of judges.

68th Legislature, 1st Regular Session (2025)

House Bill H 188 increases Idaho judges' salaries over four years to attract qualified candidates, addressing a drop in applicants and enhancing judicial recruitment.

Bill Previously Held at Desk, Referred to Judiciary, Rules & Administration
#courts #government #wages
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Bill Summary · H 188

Summary of House Bill H 188: Salaries of Judges

Purpose and Intent

House Bill H 188 aims to amend existing legislation regarding the salaries of judges in Idaho. The primary intent of the bill is to address the lag in judicial salaries compared to market rates for experienced attorneys, thereby improving the recruitment and retention of qualified judges in the state.

Key Provisions

  • Salary Increases: The bill proposes a structured increase in the salaries of judges over the next four years:

    • Supreme Court Justices:
    • July 1, 2024: $181,374
    • July 1, 2026: $194,070
    • July 1, 2027: $207,655
    • July 1, 2028: $222,190
    • Court of Appeals Judges: Will earn $8,000 less than the Supreme Court Justices.
    • District Judges: Will earn $6,000 less than Court of Appeals Judges.
    • Magistrate Judges: Will earn $8,000 less than District Judges.

  • Emergency Clause: The bill includes an emergency declaration, making it effective from July 1, 2025.

Impact

  • Judicial Recruitment and Retention: The proposed salary increases are designed to make judicial positions more competitive with both public and private sector attorney salaries. This is crucial as the number of applicants for judicial positions has significantly decreased, from an average of 11 applicants per position five years ago to only 4.6 applicants recently.

  • Fiscal Implications: The total annual fiscal impact of the salary increases is projected to be:

    • FY26: $2,716,903
    • FY27: $2,847,269
    • FY28: $2,979,954
    • FY29: $3,188,551 These costs will be funded through the state’s general fund.

Affected Parties

  • Judges: The bill directly affects the salaries of Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals Judges, District Judges, and Magistrate Judges.
  • Legal Community: The changes may influence the broader legal community in Idaho by potentially attracting more experienced attorneys to judicial roles.

Legislative Status

  • Introduced: February 10, 2025
  • Current Status: The bill has been previously held at the desk and referred to the Judiciary, Rules & Administration Committee for further consideration.

This summary provides an overview of House Bill H 188, highlighting its purpose, key provisions, potential impacts, and current legislative status.

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

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