Committee advances bill tying attorney general pay to governor's salary

The committee voted to advance SB 235 after sponsors explained the measure ties the governor's salary to the chief justice's level and makes other statewide officer salaries a percentage step-down (attorney general 95%; state auditor and treasurer 90%; lieutenant governor 90%). Senator Brammer said the change addresses growing pay disparities and helps avoid discouraging qualified candidates from running for office.

"Most of our supreme court judges, our governor, our attorney general, they're pretty severely under market for their skill set," Senator Brammer said, adding that the bill would raise the governor's level and thereby move other offices up in percentage steps. He acknowledged the measure carries an estimated ongoing fiscal impact of about $300,000.

Committee members asked whether the new structure would make these offices competitive with market salaries; sponsors said the bill preserves long-standing percentage steps and is not designed to fully match market pay. The committee adopted a first substitute and then voted to pass the substitute with a favorable recommendation.

Senator Brammer noted the attorney general was the only recorded opponent during the bill's process and thanked the committee for considering the substitute and the motion.