(a) There is established a Commission on Judicial Compensation for the purpose of examining and making recommendations with respect to judicial compensation. The commission shall consist of the following members: (1) Four appointed by the Governor; (2) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (3) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (4) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (5) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (6) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (7) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; and (8) two appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. To the extent practicable, each appointing authority shall appoint members who have experience in financial management, human resource administration or the determination of executive compensation. Each member of the commission shall serve a term of four years, and no member may be appointed to more than one four-year term, except that any member may continue to serve until such member's successor is appointed and qualified. Any vacancy on the commission shall be filled for the unexpired portion of the term by the appointing authority having the power to make the original appointment. The commission shall elect a chairperson from among its members. A majority of the members of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

(b) Not later than January 2, 2013, and every four years thereafter, the commission shall:

(1) Examine the adequacy and need for adjustment of compensation, for each of the following four fiscal years, for (A) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, (B) the Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court or Superior Court, (C) each associate judge of the Supreme Court, (D) the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court, (E) each judge of the Appellate Court, (F) the Deputy Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Superior Court, (G) each judge of the Superior Court, (H) the judge designated as the administrative judge of the appellate system, (I) each Superior Court judge designated as the administrative judge of a judicial district, (J) each Superior Court judge designated as chief administrative judge, (K) the Chief Family Support Magistrate, and (L) each Family Support Magistrate; and

(2) Examine the adequacy and need for adjustment of per diem compensation, for each of the following four fiscal years, for senior judges, judge trial referees and family support referees.

(c) In conducting its examination under subsection (b) of this section, the commission shall take into account all appropriate factors including, but not limited to: (1) The overall economic climate in the state; (2) the rate of inflation; (3) the levels of compensation received by judges of other states and of the federal government; (4) the levels of compensation received by attorneys employed by government agencies, academic institutions and private and nonprofit organizations; (5) the state's interest in attracting highly qualified and experienced attorneys to serve in judicial capacities; (6) compensation adjustments applicable to employees of the state during applicable fiscal years; and (7) the state's ability to fund increases in compensation.

(d) Not later than January 2, 2013, and every four years thereafter, the commission shall submit a report on its findings, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the Governor, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the General Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Court Administrator. Not later than January 9, 2013, and every four years thereafter, the Chief Court Administrator shall transmit estimates of expenditure requirements to implement the recommendations in the report for each fiscal year of the next biennium, and for each fiscal year of the subsequent biennium, to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, on blanks to be furnished by him, and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, through the Office of Fiscal Analysis, and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary.

(P.A. 12-93, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 12-93 effective July 1, 2012.