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JFAC approves judicial salary increases and two new district judges, adds court resources
Summary
The committee approved judicial compensation increases and resources for new judges and court reporters, plus additional IT positions for the judicial branch; motions implement salary items tied to enacted/pending bills and add judicial resources in multiple districts.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved FY2026 enhancements for the judicial branch, including salary adjustments and new judges and support staff.
Brad Bybee (presenting for the judicial branch) described two primary requests: judicial compensation and judicial resources. The salary increases were tied to House Bill 322 (referred to in committee remarks as House Bill 3 22) and would raise pay across the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, district and magistrate judges (percentages read into record). The committee accepted the salary adjustments as part of a package totaling about a 5.5% increase in the branch’s FY2026 appropriation compared with FY2025.
The judicial-resources enhancement includes adding one district judge in the First Judicial District (Coeur d’Alene) and one district judge in the Seventh Judicial District (Bonneville County) together with necessary court reporters and two magistrate judges (one in the Fifth Judicial District in Twin Falls and one in the Seventh Judicial District). The request also included additional funding for court reporters and three or more IT positions previously partially funded in FY2025.
Senator Cook moved the package; Representative Galaviz seconded. The joint committee approved the enhancements: combined committee tally reported 17 ayes, 3 nays, 0 absent and excused. The action carries a due-pass recommendation.
Supporters said the resources address caseload growth and will ensure timely access to courts across districts. The package includes funding for additional court reporters to accompany new district judges and to equalize reporter pay rates across the branch.
