Committee approves judicial compensation and new judges; motion includes IT positions

The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 12 approved enhancements for the Judicial Branch that include judicial compensation increases and additional judgeships and support resources.

The committee motion added funding for judicial compensation aligned to companion legislation (House Bill 322) that sets salary increases: 10% for Supreme Court justices, 10.5% for Court of Appeals justices, 10.9% for district judges and 11.5% for magistrate judges. The motion also funded judicial resources requested by the branch: one new district judge in the First Judicial District (Coeur d’Alene), one new district judge in the Seventh Judicial District (Bonneville County), plus two magistrate judges (one in the Fifth Judicial District in Twin Falls and one in the Seventh in Idaho Falls), additional court reporter resources, and IT positions to support the branch’s operations. The total FY 2026 package recorded in committee was $5,190,300 and six FTE.

Senator Cook moved the appropriations motion and noted that House Bill 322 had already passed the House floor. Committee roll calls recorded combined totals that carried the motion and produced a due‑pass recommendation (combined totals reported as 17 ayes, 3 nays, 0 absent/excused in the joint session record).

Ending: The committee approved the judicial branch enhancement package and will carry a due‑pass recommendation; the final appropriation will trail companion policy bills that address judge compensation and new judgeships.