HB 1513: Fayette County; State Court; change compensation of judge

This bill amends the 1994 Act that created the State Court of Fayette County to update how much the court's judge and solicitor are paid. It sets the judge's base salary at $175,844.82 per year and the solicitor's base salary at $154,605.20 per year, both paid monthly from Fayette County funds. Beyond the base salary, both officials would get additional pay equal to 5 percent of their base salary for each completed four-year term served after July 1, 2022. That extra pay kicks in on January 1 following the completion of each such term. The bill also allows local or general law to supplement these salaries further. It would take effect on the first day of the month after the Governor signs it or it becomes law without a signature.

• Sets the base salary of the State Court of Fayette County judge at $175,844.82 per year, paid monthly from county funds.
• Sets the base salary of the State Court of Fayette County solicitor at $154,605.20 per year, paid monthly from county funds.
• Creates a longevity bonus for both officials equal to 5 percent of their base salary for each completed four-year term served after July 1, 2022.
• Specifies that longevity bonuses start on January 1 following the completion of each qualifying four-year term.
• Allows the base salaries to be supplemented further under other general or local law.
• Sets the effective date as the first day of the month after the Governor signs the bill or it becomes law without a signature.

The judge and solicitor of the State Court of Fayette County, and Fayette County government, which pays their salaries from county funds.

The change directly affects how much Fayette County pays two of its court officials, including built-in raises tied to years of service, which shapes the county's budget and how the officials' compensation grows over time.

• Section 1 revises Section 17 of the 1994 Act to set the judge's base salary at $175,844.82 and add a term-based longevity bonus.
• Section 2 revises Section 21 of the 1994 Act to set the solicitor's base salary at $154,605.20 and add a matching longevity bonus.
• Both longevity bonuses equal 5 percent of base salary per completed four-year term served after July 1, 2022, starting the following January 1.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as the first day of the month after the Governor's approval or the bill becoming law without signature.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws.

1. 2026-05-11Effective Date 2026-06-01
2. 2026-05-11Act 576
3. 2026-05-11House Date Signed by Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
4. 2026-04-06House Sent to Governor (Cámara de Representantes)
5. 2026-03-19Senate Passed/Adopted (Senado)
6. 2026-03-19Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senado)
7. 2026-03-16Senate Read and Referred (Senado)
8. 2026-03-12House Passed/Adopted (Cámara de Representantes)

• Josh Bonner (R, HD-073)Patrocinador principal
• Karen Mathiak (R, HD-082)
• Debra Bazemore (D, HD-069)
• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)

1. AprobadaVotación: Cámara de Representantes12 de marzo de 2026

   158 a favor, 0 en contra (10 sin votar, 8 ausentes)

   Local Calendar : House Vote #697

2. AprobadaVotación: Senado19 de marzo de 2026

   49 a favor, 0 en contra (3 sin votar, 2 ausentes)

   Local Consent Calendar: Senate Vote #745

• Fayette County
• state court judges
• local government salaries
• county government