Providing pay increases to members of judiciary
This bill increases salaries for West Virginia judges and certain judicial staff starting July 1, 2026. It raises the annual salary for Supreme Court justices to $154,600 (from $149,600), circuit court judges to $143,600 (from $138,600), and family court judges to $113,950 (from $103,950). It also adjusts pay for family court secretary-clerks and case coordinators, with secretary-clerks receiving $44,876 annually and case coordinators capped at $56,876. The bill suspends employer contributions to the judicial retirement system until specific conditions are met.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Jun 2026
Introduced Jan 14, 2026
Signed Jun 25, 2026
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sb29 h fin am _1 adopted.htm
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Enrolled Committee Substitute
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7 edits
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Apr 1, 2026
MODERATE
This bill updates the salaries for West Virginia magistrates, judges, and Supreme Court justices, with specific increases taking effect on July 1, 2027. It also modifies the judicial retirement system by setting a fixed 7% employee contribution rate starting in 2027 and suspending employer contributions once the fund's funding level exceeds 125%. The changes aim to adjust compensation for inflation and reduce the financial burden on the state when the retirement fund is well-funded.
Scope change
The bill applies to all magistrates, circuit judges, family court judges, Supreme Court justices, and Intermediate Court of Appeals judges in West Virginia.
TIMELINE
The annual salary for magistrates is set to increase to $70,000 starting July 1, 2027.
The annual salary for Supreme Court justices is set to increase to $154,600 starting July 1, 2027.
The annual salary for circuit judges is set to increase to $143,600 starting July 1, 2027.
The annual salary for family court judges is set to increase to $113,950 starting July 1, 2027.
The annual salary for Intermediate Court of Appeals judges is set to increase to $147,500 starting July 1, 2027.
REQUIREMENT
Effective July 1, 2027, the required employee contribution to the Judges' Retirement Fund is fixed at 7% of salary.
FISCAL
Employer contributions to the Judges' Retirement Fund are suspended whenever the fund's funding level exceeds 125%.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 4, 2026 · House of Delegates Mar 13, 2026
How they voted
32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Mar 4, 2026
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
40
Key actions
9
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 1, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 639)
upper
Mar 13, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 510)
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 12, 2026
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
To House Finance
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Committee
To Finance
lower
Mar 5, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 318)
upper
Mar 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Finance
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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