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JLMC approves $92,000 study and up to $12,500 annual support to review legislative staff pay
Summary
The Joint Legislative Management Committee voted unanimously to hire Arthur J. Gallagher to reassess the legislature's staff compensation structure and provide annual maintenance support; the contract covers a seven-month study priced at about $92,000 plus an optional $12,500 annual retainer.
The Joint Legislative Management Committee voted unanimously, 8-0-0, to retain Arthur J. Gallagher to conduct a seven-month study of the legislature’s staff compensation structure and to provide one year of ongoing support after the study’s completion. The firm’s proposal is priced at approximately $92,000 for the initial study, with an optional annual support retainer of $12,500.
Arlene Donovan, HR director for the General Assembly, and Brynn Haire, director and chief counsel of Legislative Counsel, summarized the request and the background for the committee. They told members that the committee previously contracted with the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) to create an internal pay structure in 2022; staff now seek a market refresh, position re-evaluations, and tools for ongoing maintenance. Donovan said the recommended vendor would benchmark comparable legislatures, assess titles and placements within the existing grade structure, and produce recommendations for career-progression methods and equity adjustments.
Committee members asked about vendor selection, comparison groups, timeline and funding. Staff said the study would begin about two weeks after a signed contract and is estimated to take seven months. The $92,000 one-time cost was not included in the current operating budget; staff reported that some one-time funds previously appropriated and unspent could be reallocated for the study. The $12,500 annual support fee is budgeted for the coming year and would be optional thereafter.
A motion to retain Arthur J. Gallagher for the study and one year of ongoing support was made, seconded and adopted by roll call. The roll call in the transcript recorded the following yes votes: Representative Krowinski; Representative Dooley; Representative Tuft; Senator Clarkson; Senator Beck; Senator Lyons; Senator Peruzzi; and one vote recorded in the transcript without a clearly captured name (recorded here as "not specified"). The committee chair declared the motion unanimous (8-0-0).
Staff emphasized they are not seeking a brand-new pay structure but rather a targeted reassessment to add career-progression pathways, ensure market competitiveness against similarly sized legislatures, and supply maintenance tools so the JLMC can manage pay updates between comprehensive studies.
