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Committee debates capping judges' meal per diems at GSA rates; author to revise
Summary
Representative Zorang proposed aligning judges' lodging and meal reimbursements with the U.S. General Services Administration rates. Judges' representatives raised concerns about safety and recruitment; the sponsor agreed to seek amendments and deferred the bill.
Representative Zorang presented House Bill 398 on March 24, which would require state public officials and employees — including judges — to limit lodging, meals and incidental expenses to amounts established by the U.S. General Services Administration. Zorang said the move would align the judiciary with executive and legislative practice and address instances where judges’ meal per diems appeared higher than the federal standard.
Judge Glenn Ansardi, representing the District and City Judges Association, told the committee the proposal would reduce judges’ income and that many judges would be unhappy with a reduced daily rate. He and others raised safety and logistical concerns about lodging choices and protecting judges who travel alone. Representative Zorang proposed an amendment allowing increases (up to 75% of the per diem) during declared emergencies and to require receipts for higher amounts; the committee adopted amendment set 22‑85.
Members pressed for more guardrails and asked for data on where higher per diems were paid; Representative Zorang cited Legislative Auditor reports showing high per diem totals in recent years for some justices. After public comment and several members’ questions, the sponsor said he would work on additional amendments and voluntarily defer the bill so stakeholders can address exemptions and safety concerns.
The committee did not vote on the substantive bill; the sponsor asked to hold it in committee pending revision.
