SB292 Summary

• Establishes uniform state-paid compensation for all judges effective October 1, 2021, with initial salaries ranging from $139,000 (district judges) to $176,000 (chief justice).

• Provides 7.5% salary increases at 6, 12, and 18 years of service for circuit and district judges, and similar increases for appellate and supreme court justices.

• Eliminates county salary supplements and expense allowances for circuit and district judges, making them compensated solely by the State Treasury.

• Requires all judges to be licensed attorneys and mandates completion of 12 hours of approved continuing legal education annually, including one hour on ethics, with disciplinary action for non-compliance.

• Sets district attorney starting salary at $140,000 for those appointed after October 1, 2021, and increases Attorney General salary to equal the Chief Justice salary beginning with the next term after October 1, 2021.