FISCAL NOTE
Date Requested: February 27, 2025
Time Requested: 03:26 PM |
| Agency: |
Supreme Court of Appeals |
|---|
| CBD Number: |
Version: |
Bill Number: |
Resolution Number: |
| 3385 |
Introduced |
SB622 |
|
|---|
| CBD Subject: |
Courts |
|---|
|
FUND(S):
General Revenue Fund
Sources of Revenue:
General Fund
Legislation creates:
Fiscal Note Summary
Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.
The purpose of the bill is to allow the Supreme Court of Appeals to establish uniform pay scales for judicial support staff. Currently, this is not possible because the salaries of Magistrate Assistants, Magistrate Clerks, Magistrate Deputy Clerks, Family Court Secretary Clerks, and Family Court Case Coordinators have specific salary amounts set in Code.
Fiscal Note Detail
| Effect of Proposal |
Fiscal Year |
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
2026
Increase/Decrease
(use"-") |
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation) |
| 1. Estmated Total Cost |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Personal Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Current Expenses |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Repairs and Alterations |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Assets |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Other |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 2. Estimated Total Revenues |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):
It is impossible to estimate a possible fiscal impact until the pay scales are studied and developed. Some current jobs may be divided into different grades based on job duties, qualifications, education, and experience. Other positions may include step levels for years of service. The Court already undertook this exercise for Supreme Court of Appeals staff and Administrative Office staff, and the resulting adjustments and equalization for approximately 160 employees resulted in a net increase of approximately $87,691. We estimate approximately 381 employees who work with family and magistrate court could possibly be impacted by this bill. There will be no impact to the FY26 budget that has already been submitted.
Memorandum
The Court has not developed any scales at this time. If this bill passes and the Court proceeds with a pay scale and pay grade analysis, the Court would consult with the Legislature's Finance Committees as part of its annual budget process to balance fiscal impact with the Court's goal of rewarding longevity and supporting staff development and retention efforts. Ultimately, whatever pay grades and scales are established by the Court would require Legislative approval through the budget before implementation. There would be no impact to the FY26 budget that has already been submitted.
Person submitting Fiscal Note: Liz Schindzielorz, Policy Counsel
Email Address: elizabeth.schindzielorz@courtswv.gov