Senate Bill 1219, which would create a formal mechanism to revisit and set legislative compensation on a scheduled basis, was reported by the Rules Committee and re-referred to the Senate Finance Committee after sponsor remarks and a short presentation from the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC).

Sponsor Senator Reeves said the General Assembly's pay had not increased since 1988 and cited a JLARC report presented to the committee. Justin (JLARC) told members the report found legislators reported working more than 60 hours per week during session and that pay had lost purchasing power over time; the report recommended an external process such as a commission or benchmark to prevent long-term erosion.

Committee members asked about fiscal impact. The sponsor reported a fiscal impact and said he believed the cost would be approximately $5,004,100 to implement aspects of the commission and staffing, and asked the committee to refer the bill to Finance for further budget review. The committee moved the bill and re-referred it to Senate Finance; the motion passed on an electronic vote recorded as Ayes 15, No 0.

Votes at the committee: Moved and seconded that Senate Bill 1219 be reported and re-referred to Finance. Vote: Ayes 15, No 0.