Virginia House Bill HB1937

Virginia 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/10/23
• Refer: 1/10/23

Caption

Legislator Compensation Commission; established, report.

Impact

The bill seeks to bring a structured approach to how legislators’ compensation is determined and adjusted. By involving former governors and legislators in the Commission, the bill attempts to ensure that the assessment of compensation is conducted with a sense of experienced oversight. The findings and recommendations of the Commission must be reported to the Governor and the General Assembly, which could lead to comprehensive changes in the existing pay structure for legislators based on established guidelines and historical compensation reviews.

Summary

House Bill 1937 establishes the Legislator Compensation Commission in Virginia, aimed at reviewing and potentially adjusting the compensation package for members of the General Assembly. This bill mandates that the Commission meet every four years to assess the salaries, expense allowances, and retirement benefits of legislators. The aim is to ensure that compensation remains fair and comparable to similar legislative bodies in other states as well as adapting to the economic conditions of the Commonwealth.

Contention

While the bill aims to create a process for determining legislative compensation, it may face scrutiny regarding the perceived appropriateness of compensation levels for public officials. There have been ongoing debates about government spending on salaries, with some arguing that additional compensation reviews could lead to increased pay in a time of economic need elsewhere. As such, this balance between fair compensation and public perception will likely be a focal point in discussions surrounding HB 1937.