Texas Judicial Council

205 West 14^th Street, Suite 600 • Tom C. Clark Building • (512) 463-1625 • FAX (512) 936-2423

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR:

CARL REYNOLDS

CHAIR:

HON. WALLACE B. JEFFERSON

Chief Justice, Supreme Court

VICE CHAIR:

HON. SHARON KELLER

Presiding Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals

P. O. Box 12066 • Austin, Texas 78711-2066

Committee on Judicial Compensation

Tuesday, January 10, 2006

9:30 a.m.

205 W. 14^th Street, Suite 600

AUSTIN, TEXAS

AGENDA

I. Commencement of Meeting - Chief Justice Sherry Radack

II. Attendance of Members

III. Action and Discussion Items

Committee Charge: In recognition of the need to protect judicial independence and to attract and retain a judiciary of exceptional quality and diversity, but mindful that members of the judiciary are voluntarily performing a public service and willingly forego levels of compensation offered in the private sector, the Committee will examine, study, and make recommendations to the Council regarding adequate and fair compensation for Texas' judicial officers. The Committee will compare Texas' judicial compensation levels with the federal judiciary, other states and other comparable professions. The Committee will determine whether appropriate escalators, standards, or measures should be enacted for periodic adjustments, and will evaluate the feasibility and impact of a special committee or commission to consider biennial judicial salary recommendations to the Texas Legislature. In addition to reviewing base salaries, the Committee will consider other forms of judicial compensation paid by the state or local governments including salary supplements, insurance benefits, longevity pay, and retirement benefits. The Committee will also review any statutory links to Texas' judicial salaries and make appropriate recommendations for change. The Committee will submit its final recommendations to the Council by September 1, 2006.

IV. Public Testimony

V. Other Business/Next Meeting

VI. Adjourn