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JFAC approves judicial pay package and additional judges and staff for 2026
Summary
Committee approved judicial salary enhancements and resources for new judges and court reporters, plus funding for IT positions and other judicial resources for FY2026.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved FY2026 enhancements for the Judicial Branch that include salary increases and new judicial resources.
Mr. Bybee, presenting for the judicial branch, said one enhancement (funded through House Bill 322) provided judicial-compensation increases: 10% for the 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 resources to add district judges (a judge in the First Judicial District and a judge in the Seventh Judicial District) and magistrate judges and to provide court reporters and support staff where statutorily requested.
Senator Cook moved the package, which included $3,870,000 for judicial compensation and $1,242,400 for judicial resources plus $77,900 for IT positions and 6 additional FTE for FY2026; the total FY2026 request the committee approved was $5,190,300 from the General Fund and 6 FTE. Committee members noted the appropriation trails enacted pay legislation and would fund the compensation increases and staffing additions included in related bills (sponsor and bill references were placed on the record).
The motion passed in committee with recorded majorities in both chambers (combined committee total: 17 ayes, 3 nays, 0 absent/excused). The committee chair noted July implementation timing and that motion would carry a due-pass recommendation.
