House freezes legislator per diem at $117 amid debate on fairness and optics

SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah House passed House Bill 287 on Feb. 19 to freeze the daily pay of legislators at $117, preventing an automatic increase the Legislative Compensation Commission had scheduled for Jan. 1, 2011.

Sponsor Representative Lipfak told the chamber the bill keeps daily pay at the current $117 level rather than allowing an increase to roughly $130 per diem that would otherwise take effect. "In light of our budget and the decisions we are making, this freezes our salary," the sponsor said.

Floor debate ranged from practical considerations to constitutional process. Supporters said foregoing the increase sends a message of shared sacrifice during budget shortfalls; Representative Powell and others said it was the right thing in hard fiscal times. Opponents, including Representative Hansen and others, argued the constitutionally established Legislative Compensation Commission exists to set pay and raised concerns about fairness to members who travel or incur lodging costs.

Representatives also discussed whether lodging and other compensation (not addressed in HB287) create disparities between rural and near-by legislators; several speakers urged a separate review of those elements. After debate and a call to question, the House approved HB287 (final recorded tally on the floor was 71–2) and transmitted it to the Senate.

The bill changes the effective pay scheduled by the commission but does not alter other allowances or lodging policies, which members said remain the subject of additional proposals and fiscal analysis.