Bill Summary: SJR54

• Disapproves the Final Report of the Board on Judicial Compensation issued September 17, 2013, which authorized pay increases for judges at all levels of Oklahoma state courts.

• The pay increase affected Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals judges, Court of Civil Appeals judges, District Court judges, and Special Judges.

• Cites fiscal concerns that salary increases for judges automatically trigger corresponding increases for statewide elected officials, creating additional state expenditure burdens.

• Asserts that the Legislature, as the branch responsible for budgeting and appropriating state funds, must ensure fiscal prudence and that judicial compensation decisions reflect legislative intent.

• Declares an emergency to make the disapproval effective immediately upon passage and approval.