HB 3111: To provide pay increases to members of the judiciary - West Virginia

hb3111 hfat kelly 4-12 _2 adopted.htm → hb3111 sfat barrett _1 4-7 adopted.htm · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended to expand its scope from modifying five code sections to eight sections, adding repeal of two additional sections, and significantly expanding the bill's purpose to include provisions for treating post-2005 retirees as pre-2005 retirees, providing actuarially reduced pension benefits in certain circumstances, increasing surviving spouse plan benefits, eliminating limitations on retirement benefit increases, and removing distinctions between judges for benefit calculations.

Scope change

The bill's scope was substantially expanded from primarily increasing salaries and suspending employer contributions to include new provisions for pension benefit adjustments, survivor benefits, and eligibility changes for different judge categories.

SCOPE

Added references to four new code sections (§51-9-6, §51-9-6a, §51-9-6b) and two repealed sections (§51-9-6c, §51-9-6d) to the bill's amended sections.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions to treat judges under the post-2005 retirement system as if they were under the pre-2005 system.

FISCAL

Added provisions for actuarially reduced pension benefits for judges in certain circumstances and increased surviving spouse plan benefits for certain judges.

REQUIREMENT

Added provisions to eliminate limitations on retirement benefit increases and remove distinctions between certain judges for calculating surviving spouse plan benefits, surviving dependent children plan benefits, and adjusted annual retirement benefits.

hb3111 hfa kelly 4-12 _1 adopted.htm → hb3111 hfat kelly 4-12 _2 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to update the version number from HFA to HFAT and change the amendment tracking number from #1 to #2. The substantive text of the bill regarding judicial salaries and retirement contributions was removed and replaced with a new title that clarifies the bill's purpose. This appears to be a procedural revision rather than a substantive policy change.

TECHNICAL

Bill version identifier changed from HFA Kelly 4-12 #1 to HFAT Kelly 4-12 #2, indicating a revision in the legislative process.

Detailed amendment instructions for specific lines and sections were removed, suggesting the amendment process was consolidated or restructured.

A new title was added that summarizes the bill's intent to amend judicial salary and retirement benefit sections, providing clearer context for the legislation.

hb3111 s fin am _1 4-7 adopted.htm → hb3111 hfa kelly 4-12 _1 adopted.htm · 3 edits

MINOR

Delegate Kelly amended HB 3111 to delay salary increases for judges and court staff by one year, shifting effective dates from 2025 to 2026 and from 2026 to 2027. The amendment also updated the judicial retirement contribution schedule to begin the 7% contribution rate in 2025 instead of 2013, and changed the funding level threshold for suspending required contributions from 150% to 125%.

TIMELINE

Salary increases for Supreme Court justices, circuit judges, family court judges, and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges were delayed by one year, moving effective dates from 2025 to 2026 and from 2026 to 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Judicial retirement contributions changed to require a 7% employee contribution starting July 1, 2025, instead of the previous 2013 start date, and the funding level threshold for suspending contributions was lowered from 150% to 125%.

TECHNICAL

Minor formatting corrections were made to section headers and subsection labels throughout the retirement article.

Committee Substitute → hb3111 s fin am _1 4-7 adopted.htm · 7 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends West Virginia's judicial salary laws to increase compensation for magistrates, circuit judges, family court judges, Supreme Court justices, and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges. It also adds new retirement benefit provisions for judges over age 65 and establishes new support staff classifications for family courts.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope to include the Supreme Court of Appeals and Intermediate Court of Appeals, which were not covered in the original Committee Substitute version.

TIMELINE

Circuit judge salary increase for 2025 changed from $142,100 to $143,600, with a new 2026 increase to $148,600 added.

Family court judge salary increase for 2025 changed from $107,450 to $113,950, with a new 2026 increase to $118,950 added.

SCOPE

New Article 1 establishes Supreme Court of Appeals justices' salary at $154,600 in 2025, with a 2026 increase to $159,600.

New Article 11 adds Intermediate Court of Appeals judges' salary at $147,500 in 2025, with a 2026 increase to $152,500.

ELIGIBILITY

New retirement benefits added for judges over 65 with 8+ years of service, and expanded survivor benefits for dependent children.

REQUIREMENT

New Article 2A(g) authorizes Supreme Court to create additional family court support staff classifications like receptionists and assistant case coordinators.

Family court compensation section reorganized into lettered subsections (a) through (g) for better organization and clarity.

Enrolled Committee Substitute → Committee Substitute · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill was revised to shift its focus from Supreme Court and appellate judges to magistrates, circuit judges, and family court judges. The changes remove provisions related to the Judges' Retirement Fund and salary increases for higher court justices, replacing them with new salary adjustments for lower court positions and clarifying family court staff compensation.

Scope change

The bill's scope narrowed from covering all judges of courts of record (including Supreme Court and Intermediate Court of Appeals) to specifically targeting magistrates, circuit court judges, and family court judges.

SCOPE

Removed all provisions related to Supreme Court of Appeals justices and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges, including their salary schedules and retirement contribution requirements.

Added new provisions establishing salary increases for magistrates, effective beginning July 1, 2021 through 2025.

FISCAL

Modified the retirement contribution section to remove requirements for judges of courts of record, eliminating the Judges' Retirement Fund contribution mandates.

TIMELINE

Updated salary increase dates for circuit judges and family court judges to reflect new effective dates, including a 2025 increase for circuit judges.

REQUIREMENT

Revised family court staff compensation language to clarify that secretary-clerk salaries are set at a fixed amount rather than a minimum, and added provisions for additional support staff classifications.

Engrossed Committee Substitute → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates salary schedules for West Virginia judges and court staff, adds retirement contribution rules, and expands family court staffing options. The changes affect Supreme Court justices, circuit judges, family court judges, and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges, with new salary increases taking effect in 2026 and 2027, and a temporary suspension of employer retirement contributions starting in 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope expanded to include Supreme Court justices and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges, which were not covered in the previous version. It also added new provisions regarding retirement system contributions and family court support staff classifications.

SCOPE

Added salary provisions for Supreme Court of Appeals justices and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges, expanding the bill's coverage beyond circuit and family court judges.

TIMELINE

Changed salary increase effective dates from 2025 to 2026 and 2027 for most judicial positions, except family court judges who receive increases in 2026 and 2027.

REQUIREMENT

Added mandatory retirement system contribution requirements for judges, including specific percentage rates and conditions for employer contributions.

Added new authority for Supreme Court of Appeals to create additional family court support staff classifications beyond existing positions.

FISCAL

Established new salary amounts for various judicial positions, with increases ranging from approximately $10,000 to $15,000 annually depending on the position.

ELIGIBILITY

Added provisions regarding military service credit and prosecutorial service credit for judicial retirement benefits.

Introduced Version → Engrossed Committee Substitute · 5 edits · Apr 12, 2025

MODERATE

HB 3111 was amended to remove the Supreme Court of Appeals from the list of statutes being amended and to significantly reduce the proposed salary increases for magistrates, circuit judges, and family court judges. The bill now focuses solely on salary adjustments for magistrates, circuit judges, and family court judges, excluding justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals from the changes.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing the Supreme Court of Appeals justices from the list of officials whose salaries are being adjusted. Additionally, the bill was changed from an 'Introduced Version' to an 'Engrossed Committee Substitute' version, indicating it has been revised by a committee.

FISCAL

The proposed 2025 salary increase for magistrates was reduced from $75,840 to $66,750.

The proposed 2025 salary increase for circuit judges was reduced from $155,232 to $142,100.

The proposed 2025 salary increase for family court judges was reduced from $125,416 to $107,450.

The salary increase provision for Supreme Court of Appeals justices was removed entirely from the bill.

SCOPE

The bill was amended to remove references to the Supreme Court of Appeals from the list of statutes being amended.

To provide pay increases to members of the judiciary

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