Chief Justice asks for 17.58% judicial pay increase, higher court‑reporter and bailiff pay

Chief Justice Dustin Roe, joined by Vice Chief Justice Dana Keane and Administrative Director Diane O'Neil, requested multiple budget items aimed at staffing and retention across Oklahoma's judicial branch, which the chief called "less than 1% of the state budget" but essential to maintaining courts.

Roe told the appropriations committee there are 197 authorized court-reporter positions with 73 vacancies and proposed raising the court-reporter base from $53,000 to $65,000 to improve recruitment. "We could go to court today... But if we don't have a court reporter, the wheels of justice stop," Roe said, arguing that pay and statutory changes (allowing voice writing) would help fill seats.

The judiciary also requested a 17.58% increase for judicial salaries, based on a Board on Judicial Compensation recommendation intended to bring judge pay toward a regional average, and a 5.5% staff salary increase. Roe asked for a judicial security officer to coordinate threat responses for judges and staff, and requested additional funding to complete the FRAP (Family Representation and Advisor Advocacy) program in two remaining quadrants of the state (about one-third of the remaining $5.5 million).

Committee members asked for calculations supporting the court-reporter pay proposal, potential automation impacts, and whether training or recruitment incentives were in place. Roe said the increase and allowing voice writing licensing would lower training barriers and that some recruitment efforts already exist through career-technical programs and pilot courses.

The committee took no immediate action on the requests and said it would consider them alongside other budget priorities.