Sen. Ruth Hardy proposes amendment to dock state's attorney pay if law license is lost

Senator Ruth Hardy presented an amendment to the budget bill H951 asking the Senate Government Operations Committee to add a provision that would dock a state's attorney’s salary by 30% if the official loses a law license. Hardy said the proposal follows a statutory approach already applied to sheriffs whose certification status affects pay and that the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs recommended a similar approach for state’s attorneys.

"If a state's attorney lost their law license, then their salary be docked by 30%," Hardy said, describing the amendment as an effort to make pay consequences consistent across offices where professional licensure is relevant. Committee members asked whether benefits would be affected; Hardy said benefits would still be provided and the amendment addresses only salary. Members also asked whether the attorney general should be included; the group discussed constitutional and practical implications and agreed to take testimony.

Hardy noted timing pressures: the budget bill faces floor readings the following week, so the committee arranged to take testimony next week and asked relevant agency officials to attend. The committee did not adopt the amendment at this session.