BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hartnett
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The legislature periodically reviews the issue of what to pay judges. The purpose of this bill is to establish a commission on judicial compensation to make recommendations to the legislature with regard to judicial pay.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
The bill would add a new chapter to the Government Code providing for a Judicial Compensation Commission. The commission would have nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. The commission would be charged with recommending to the legislature judicial salaries for district and higher level courts. The bill provides for qualifications of commission members and for factors to be considered in preparing reports. The members would not be paid but may be reimbursed for expenses of service on the commission.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute adds an effective date for the act missing from the original bill and changes expiration dates in section 2 of the bill.