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House grants motion to open bill file on attorney-general pay and merit status
Summary
Representative Alexander won approval to open a bill file to raise Attorney General Office attorneys' pay to market levels; debate focused on whether higher pay should require loss of merit protections and on late-session timing.
On Feb. 20 the Utah House voted to permit Representative Alexander to open a bill file that would allow the attorney general’s office to raise attorney salaries to market comparability and, if accepted by employees, to change some positions from merit to at-will status.
Alexander said the proposal would allow the elected attorney general more flexibility to recruit attorneys by offering higher pay; employees who accepted market-comparability increases could lose merit protections while those who did not accept would retain merit status. Supporters argued pay equity is needed to retain staff and to allow an elected AG to assemble a team that reflects the officeholder's priorities.
Opponents raised concerns about continuity and political independence. Representative Becker warned that converting merit staff to at-will status could reduce professional independence and subject attorneys to greater political pressure. Representative Noelle and others also questioned whether the change should be rushed at the session's end without a public hearing.
After questions and debate, the House voted to allow Representative Alexander to open the bill file; the motion passed by a constitutional majority.
What comes next: Opening the bill file allows drafting and potential formal introduction; any substantive bill text, appropriations or merit-status changes would require further committee work and votes.
