Creating the legislative compensation commission and prescribing powers and duties of the commission and the legislature.
Impact
If passed, HB2448 could significantly change the existing framework regarding how compensation for state officials is determined. Currently, decisions regarding pay and benefits for state officials can often be influenced by political considerations. The introduction of a dedicated commission could mitigate these influences, fostering a system that prioritizes data-driven and transparent decision-making processes. This reform may also bolster public confidence in how taxpayer money is being allocated for government salaries.
Summary
House Bill 2448 seeks to establish a legislative compensation commission tasked with outlining the powers and responsibilities to determine the compensation and benefits for state officials. This bill aims to enhance the accountability and transparency of compensation decisions by creating an independent body focused exclusively on this matter. By separating this function from the legislature's direct control, the bill is intended to provide a more objective framework for compensation structures, which supporters argue could lead to fairer and more equitable treatment of state employees.
Contention
Despite its positive intentions, the bill faces contention primarily regarding concerns over the composition and powers of the proposed commission. Critics worry that an independent commission could become unaccountable if not adequately supervised by legislative processes. Additionally, there are discussions about who will be appointed to the commission and whether they will be representative of the interests of the public. The potential for increased bureaucratic oversight is another point of contention that needs to be addressed as the bill progresses through the legislative process.
House Substitute for SB 229 by Committee on Legislative Modernization - Creating the legislative compensation commission, prescribing powers and duties of the commission and the legislature, establishing the rate of pay for statewide elected officials based on the salary for members of Congress and establishing the rate of pay for judges and justices based on the salary for district judges of the United States.
Establishing a joint legislative, executive and judicial commission on the child welfare system; and conferring powers and imposing duties on the commission.
Concerning the salaries of the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, state treasurer, commissioner of insurance, justices of the supreme court, judges of the court of appeals and members of the governor's cabinet; establishing the rate of pay for such state officers based on the annual rate of pay for members of congress, as adjusted by the specific provisions of this act; and providing that all such rates of pay are subject to appropriations.
Requiring the governor to appoint a person to fill vacancies in the offices of United States senator, state treasurer and commissioner of insurance from a list of names approved by the legislature.
Establishes a legislative commission on article V conventions of the states to represent the state of New York at article V conventions; provides penalties for commissioners who exceed their scope of authority and individuals who interfere with the duties of a commissioner.
Establishes a legislative commission on article V conventions of the states to represent the state of New York at article V conventions; provides penalties for commissioners who exceed their scope of authority and individuals who interfere with the duties of a commissioner.
A resolution to direct the Clerk of the House of Representatives to only present to the Governor enrolled House bills finally passed by both houses of the One Hundred Third Legislature.