SJR 17 Summary

• Creates an independent citizens commission with 9 members (3 appointed by Governor, 3 by Senate President Pro Tempore, 3 by House Speaker) to set salaries for executive officials and General Assembly members instead of allowing the legislature to set its own salaries.

• Commission members must be Arkansas residents for 2+ years, qualified electors, at least 25 years old, and cannot be civil officers, public employees, registered lobbyists, or immediate family members of such persons.

• Commission has authority to review and adjust salaries for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Auditor of State, Commissioner of State Lands, and General Assembly members.

• Salary adjustments are not subject to General Assembly appropriation, paid from the Constitutional Officers Fund, and become effective 30 days after filing with the Treasurer of State.

• Repeals or amends multiple existing constitutional provisions concerning salary-setting authority and replaces them with the commission structure; amendment becomes effective November 5, 2014.