Committee advances bill to change the index used to calculate legislators' salaries

Representative (sponsor) told the House State Affairs Committee that HB 11‑77 would replace the current index used to compute legislative salaries with a different Census Bureau index the sponsor described as more reliable. The sponsor presented handouts and two multiplier options: the listed bill multiplier (22%) and a more precise 21.73 multiplier intended to be essentially revenue neutral. He said using the newer index would avoid sharp year‑to‑year volatility in the current series and argued for averaging across years.

The sponsor illustrated the arithmetic and estimated effects: adopting the new index with a 22% multiplier would increase each legislator's pay by about $243 per year under his calculation, whereas a 21.73 multiplier would be essentially revenue neutral (the sponsor said his 21.73 result would change pay by only about 28 cents annually before rounding considerations). Committee members asked whether changing the index but preserving the statutory 20% multiplier would substantially change salaries; the sponsor cautioned that mismatch would result in a material change from current pay levels.

After discussion, Representative Healy moved to send HB 11‑77 to the 40 first day. The motion carried on voice/roll call and the clerk recorded the committee sending HB 11‑77 forward for further floor consideration.