Report Title:

Legislative Salary Increases; Waivers

 

Description:

Allows legislators not wishing to receive pay increases to waive the increased portion upon certification under the rules of the appropriate legislative body.

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

904

TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

Relating to waivers of legislative pay raises.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  Legislative salary increases have been the subject of controversy throughout the years.  With the ever-increasing cost of living in Hawaii, stagnant legislative salaries can restrict the ability of many to serve in office.

     However, the legislature believes that a legislator should be provided with the option of waiving any salary increase to which the legislator may be entitled.

     The purpose of this Act is to allow legislators who do not need or want salary increases to decline taking them, while allowing those who do need or want raises to have them.

     SECTION 2.  Section 24-1.5, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "[[]24-1.5[]]  Payment of legislative salaries.  (a)  The annual salary of any legislator, as determined pursuant to [Article] article III, section 9, of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii, shall be paid in equal amounts, beginning with the first pay period for state employees in November of the year the legislator is elected.

     (b)  Any member of the legislature who does not wish to receive a salary increase may maintain the prior salary upon certification to the house or senate as provided by rules adopted by the respective body provided that:

     (1)  The salary increase waiver shall not prohibit any successor legislator from receiving the salary increase:

     (2)  If a legislator who executes a salary increase waiver subsequently elects to receive the salary increase, the legislator shall not be entitled to any retroactive compensation that may have accrued had the legislator initially accepted the salary increase; and

     (3)  Any retirement credit earned by a legislator shall be calculated on the actual salary received by the legislator."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

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