NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used in any other situation.

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(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Relates to HB6

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Administrative Office of the District Attorneys (AODA)

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

HB18 declares an emergency for the public peace, health and safety to increase the salaries of district attorneys immediately. The bill appropriates $74,478 from the general fund to AODA for expenditure in FY2000 for the purpose of paying salaries and benefits for the district attorneys. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY2000 shall revert to the general fund.

Significant Issues

According to AODA, HB18 basically provides for a 6.0 percent salary increase for district attorneys, who have not received pay increases since FY96. It also authorizes that for FY2001 and all subsequent fiscal years, the annual salary for the district attorneys shall be established by the legislature in an appropriation act. This provision gives the legislature the authority to raise salaries in the future without having to amend the statute which sets district attorney salaries each time there is an increase. However, the bill does not address the possible costs for FY2001 and outlying years when the district attorney salaries would be established by the legislature in the appropriation act.

For FY2000, the bill provides salaries of $74,481 for district attorneys with non-class A counties. The bill also provides salaries of $78,401 for district attorneys serving districts with class A counties (i.e., counties with populations of one hundred thousand persons or more).

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

For FY2000, the general fund would increase by a total of $74,478, which includes both salaries and benefits for the district attorneys. This appropriation would go through AODA to be transferred to each district attorney's office.

CONFLICT/DUPLICATION/COMPANIONSHIP/RELATIONSHIP

HB18 relates to HB6, which provides a 4.9 percent salary increase for the district attorneys. Also, HB6 does not make an appropriation for FY2000.

CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ENACTING THIS BILL

The district attorneys will begin another fiscal year without any type of salary increase since FY96.

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