REDUCE STATE OFFICERS' PAY
House Joint Resolution D
Sponsor: Rep. Brian Palmer
Committee: Government Operations
Complete to 2-19-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION D AS INTRODUCED 2-11-03
The state constitution was amended in 2002 when voters adopted Ballot Proposal 1 at the August 2002 primary election. Ballot Proposal 1 amended Article IV, Section 12 of the state constitution to make a number of changes in the process by which the State Officers Compensation Commission determines salary and expense allowances for elected state officials. Under the new process, the SOCC determinations must be approved by a majority vote of each house of the legislature before taking effect. In addition, the amendment allows the legislature to reduce the salary and expense determinations submitted by the SOCC by the same proportion for all of the affected elected officials, but the salary and expense levels cannot be reduced below the levels in effect on the date of the SOCC determination.
House Joint Resolution D proposes an amendment to this provision of the constitution to specify that, if the balance of the state's countercyclical budget and economic stabilization fund (the "rainy day" fund) goes below $250 million in any calendar year, the SOCC-determined salary and expense levels for members of the legislature, the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and justices of the supreme court would be reduced by 10 percent for the immediately following calendar year.
If passed by the legislature, the proposal would be submitted to the voters at the next general election.
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.