Committee endorses pay increase bill for state attorney general

Senator McKell presented Senate Bill 235, arguing the attorney general of Utah is underpaid relative to comparable legal positions and currently receives approximately 95% of the governor’s salary and, in some local markets, less than an associate attorney. He proposed adjusting the attorney general’s compensation to be commensurate with Supreme Court pay.

The sponsor noted a fiscal note accompanies the bill describing the anticipated cost. He also said the chief opposition so far has been the attorney general himself, who reportedly raised concerns about staff pay. McKell recommended the committee consider both the attorney general’s salary and the staffing implications for the office.

The committee closed a brief public hearing, moved to a committee motion and approved a favorable recommendation by voice vote; the chair announced the motion passed unanimously in committee.