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West VirginiaSB 292026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Providing pay increases to members of judiciary

Sponsored By: Mike Oliverio (Republican)

Signed by Governor

§50-1-3§51-1-10A§51-2-13§51-2A-6§51-9-4§51-11-11

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

Family court staff pay and support

Family court staff get clearer pay and support. Secretary-clerks earn $42,576, rising to $44,876 on 7/1/2023, and can get general state raises after that. Each judge may hire one family case coordinator; the pay cap is $56,876 starting 7/1/2023 and can also follow general raises. The Supreme Court can add jobs like receptionists and assistants; these cannot pay more than a secretary-clerk and are state-paid. The Director handles salary payments and may reimburse actual and necessary work expenses under court-approved rules. County sheriffs must provide a bailiff when a family court judge says one is needed.

Higher pay for West Virginia judges

The law sets pay for West Virginia judges on a schedule. Magistrates earn $60,375 (7/1/2021), $63,250 (7/1/2022), and $70,000 (7/1/2027). Circuit judges earn $132,300 (7/1/2021), $138,600 (7/1/2022), $143,600 (7/1/2027), and $148,600 (7/1/2028), and the state alone pays these salaries from the State Treasury. Family court judges earn $103,950 (7/1/2020), $113,950 (7/1/2027), and $118,950 (7/1/2028). Supreme Court justices earn $142,800 (7/1/2021), $149,600 (7/1/2022), $154,600 (7/1/2027), and $159,600 (7/1/2028).

Judges’ retirement: rates and deductions

Judges who join the retirement fund must pay from each paycheck. Since 7/1/2014, the Retirement Board sets the rate each year between 7% and 10.5% of pay. Beginning 7/1/2027, the employee rate is 7%. The State Auditor withholds these amounts, and judges must keep contributing until they retire.

Judges’ retirement eligibility and service credit

The law changes who can earn service credit in the Judges’ Retirement Fund. A judge can get up to five years of military service counted without paying, and qualified military service follows federal rule 414(u). Leased employees and independent contractors cannot join the fund. Only certain long-time judges may buy credit for past prosecuting-attorney service by paying 9% of the salary earned for those years, plus interest; service after 1988 does not count.

Judges’ pension fund oversight and reports

The Retirement Board sends a yearly actuarial report and required contribution for the judges’ fund to the Legislature. If the fund is over 125% funded, neither the courts nor the Legislature must make employer contributions while that lasts.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Mike Oliverio

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Anitra Hamilton

    Democratic • House

  • Robbie Morris

    Republican • Senate

  • Tom Takubo

    Republican • Senate

  • Darren Thorne

    Republican • Senate

  • Mike Woelfel

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 317 • No: 3

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 640)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/14/2026

Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 639)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 3/13/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 511)

Yes: 93 • No: 1

House vote • 3/13/2026

Passed House (Roll No. 510)

Yes: 92 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 319)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Passed Senate (Roll No. 318)

Yes: 33 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026

    4/1/2026Senate

  2. To Governor 3/19/2026

    3/19/2026Senate

  3. House Message received

    3/14/2026Senate

  4. Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 639)

    3/14/2026Senate

  5. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 640)

    3/14/2026Senate

  6. Communicated to House

    3/14/2026Senate

  7. Completed legislative action

    3/14/2026Senate

  8. To Governor 3/19/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  9. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal

    3/14/2026Senate

  10. Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal

    3/14/2026House

  11. On 3rd reading, Special Calendar

    3/13/2026House

  12. Read 3rd time

    3/13/2026House

  13. Passed House (Roll No. 510)

    3/13/2026House

  14. Effective July 1, 2026 (Roll No. 511)

    3/13/2026House

  15. Communicated to Senate

    3/13/2026House

  16. On 2nd reading, Special Calendar

    3/12/2026House

  17. Read 2nd time

    3/12/2026House

  18. Amendment reported by the Clerk

    3/12/2026House

  19. Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)

    3/12/2026House

  20. With amendment, do pass

    3/11/2026House

  21. Immediate consideration

    3/11/2026House

  22. Read 1st time

    3/11/2026House

  23. House received Senate message

    3/5/2026House

  24. Introduced in House

    3/5/2026House

  25. To Finance

    3/5/2026House

Bill Text

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