House OKs raise tying state treasurer pay to governor’s salary after debate on expanding to other officers

The Utah House voted to adjust compensation for the state treasurer, approving a bill to move the treasurer’s salary to 95% of the governor’s salary.

Representative Dave Clark, sponsor of House Bill 304, said the change follows a recommendation from the Judicial Compensation Commission and reflects the complexity and fiscal responsibility required of the treasurer’s office. Clark described the treasurer’s duties and said the office manages short-term investment pools and numerous depository accounts. “Page 5 in that particular compensation recommendation ask us to consider moving the state treasurer's salary to 95% of the governor's office,” Clark said on the floor.

During debate Representative Hansen moved an amendment to apply the same formula to the state auditor (and a broader amendment to cover constitutional officers was discussed). Clark and the parliamentarian ruled on germaneness; the motion to expand the bill failed on a recorded division, 29 yes to 44 no. Hansen framed the attempt as a fairness issue: “If we're gonna do this for one state constitutional officer, let's do it for all,” he said.

Supporters urged passage to retain expertise in the treasurer's office; opponents or those urging caution raised fiscal-note concerns and suggested broader pay-structure reform. Clark noted the amendment would change the fiscal note and proposed circling the bill for further work if necessary. The House approved HB 304 by recorded vote, 72 yes, 1 no. The bill will be referred to the Senate.

Figures cited on the floor about past interest income and distributions were presented by Representative Clark as examples of the treasurer's office role; those numbers are reported here as stated in debate and should be verified against the bill's fiscal note and official reports.