Fiscal impact reports (FIRs) are prepared by the Legislative Finance Committee (LFC) for standing finance committees of the NM Legislature. The LFC does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of these reports if they are used for other purposes.

 

Current FIRs (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) are available on the NM Legislative Website (legis.state.nm.us).  Adobe PDF versions include all attachments, whereas HTML versions may not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may also be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

 

F I S C A L    I M P A C T    R E P O R T

 

 

 

SPONSOR

Snyder

DATE TYPED

2/18/04

HB

 

 

SHORT TITLE

Chief Judges’ Salaries

SB

222/aSJC/aHAFC

 

 

ANALYST

Wilson/Koplik

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

FY04

FY05

 

$32.4

 

 

Recurring

General Fund

 

 

REVENUE

 

Estimated Revenue

Subsequent

Years Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY04

FY05

 

$70.1

$70.1

Recurring

Other State Funds

 

 

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Revenue Decreases)

 

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

 

Response Received From

Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC)

 

SUMMARY

 

      Synopsis of HAFC Amendment

 

The House Appropriations and Finance Committee amendment increases the member contributions of the judicial and magistrate retirement acts from 5 to 5 ½ percent.  This is contingent upon judges receiving a 6 percent salary increase, an amount already incorporated into the General Appropriations Act of 2004.  PERA should generate another $70.1 thousand from this half percent increase in member contributions.

   

    

 

     Synopsis of SJC Amendment

 

The Senate Judiciary Committee Amendment gives only the presiding magistrate of a magistrate district where three or more divisions operate as a single court an annual salary that is seventy-five percent of the Chief Judge of a metropolitan court.

 

Synopsis of Original Bill

 

Senate Bill 222 appropriates $32.4 from the General Fund to the AOC to provide for the salary differential of chief judges.

 

Significant Issues

 

Currently, under Section 34-1-9, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals receive a small ($2,000 per year for the Chief Justice, $1,900 for the Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals) salary stipend for the additional duties required of a chief justice or judge. 

 

This bill will apply a similar stipend to all District Court Chief Judges, the Chief Judge of the Bernalillo County Metropolitan Court and the presiding judge in Magistrate courts with three or more judges (currently applies only to Dona Ana and Santa Fe magistrate courts). 

 

Whatever the court level, the chief or presiding judge has the administrative responsibility for that judicial district or court and will take on such additional duties as:

 

           

  • Serving as the appointing or administrative authority on all personnel matters.

 

  • Responsibility for court scheduling and assignment of dockets and duties to the other judges in the court or district.

 

  • Responsibility for all court budget, audit, and budget submissions.

 

  • Serving on the Chief Judges Council or on subcommittees thereof and be required to travel to Albuquerque, Santa Fe or other parts of the state to attend meetings.

 

  • Attending legislative hearings and committee meetings.

 

  • Responsibility for all matters related to court facilities and security.

 

  • Responsibility to coordinate with local law enforcement, jails, district attorneys and public and private defenders to assure proper flow of cases through the court.

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $32.4 contained is a recurring expense to the General Fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of Fiscal Year 2005 shall revert to the General Fund.

 

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