Oklahoma House Bill HJR1047

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/5/24
• Refer: 2/6/24

Caption

Constitutional amendment; requiring certain vote of people to change compensation of members of the Legislature; ballot title; directing filing.

Impact

The amendment aims to enhance transparency and accountability in legislative compensation by ensuring that any changes are subject to public consent. It introduces a structured process whereby a Board, composed of appointees from various sectors, can assess legislative pay and make recommendations without direct legislative influence. This could potentially limit the Legislature's ability to unilaterally adjust their compensation, thereby addressing concerns about elected officials awarding themselves pay increases without voter oversight.

Summary

HJR1047 is a proposed Joint Resolution that seeks to amend Section 21 of Article V of the Oklahoma Constitution. The amendment stipulates that any proposed change to the compensation of members of the Legislature must be approved by a vote of the people. This process would involve the establishment of a Board on Legislative Compensation that is tasked with reviewing and recommending adjustments to legislative pay every two years. These recommendations would then require a majority approval from the electorate to take effect.

Contention

Notably, the introduction of HJR1047 has sparked debate among lawmakers and constituents alike. Supporters argue that it strengthens democratic processes and prevents potential misuse of legislative power regarding compensation changes. However, opponents express skepticism about the practicality and effectiveness of such a system, fearing it might complicate necessary adjustments in pay and inadvertently politicize the compensation process. There are also concerns regarding how the Board would be appointed and the potential for partisanship in its recommendations.