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Committee approves judicial pay increases, new judgeships and IT positions for FY2026
Summary
JFAC voted to fund judicial compensation increases approved in House Bill 322, add district and magistrate judgeships, court reporters, and additional IT staff for the judicial branch in FY2026.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved enhancements to the judicial branch budget that fund statutorily proposed judicial salary increases and add judicial resources and IT staffing for Fiscal Year 2026.
The motion incorporated judicial salary increases proposed in House Bill 322 (as presented to the committee): 10% for Supreme Court Justices, 10.5% for Court of Appeals Justices, 10.9% for district judges, and 11.5% for magistrate judges. The committee also approved funding for two new district judges (one in the First Judicial District and one in the Seventh Judicial District), and two magistrate judges (one in the Fifth Judicial District and one in the Seventh Judicial District), plus court-reporter resources tied to new district judges. Enhancement language also included additional funding for IT positions that were partially funded in FY2025.
Committee members discussed district locations and corrected one district reference on the record. The total additional appropriation read into the record was roughly $5.19 million from the general fund and an additional 6 FTP; a separate IT enhancement added $77,900 for positions. Committee roll calls recorded a joint total in favor; the committee announced the motion carried and will carry a due-pass recommendation.
Committee leadership noted the enhancement ties to pending statutory bills that authorize judgeships; appropriations were read and recorded consistent with bill sponsors' requests and budget staff analysis.
