Legislative Subcommittee Votes For Lawmaker Pay Raises

Wyoming Legislators could soon be giving themselves a raise for the work they do.

Last week, the Legislative Management Subcommittee on Legislator Compensation, voted to increase legislator salaries and per diem rates, plus allow them to participate in the state employee group health insurance program.

If passed the salaries would take effect in 2027, and it would be the first time legislators have received a pay increase since 2005.

Currently lawmakers get $150 a dollars a day, for each day of the legislative general and budget sessions, including weekends.

The raise would put the new rate at $230 a day.

The per diem increase would take effect in 2024, and rates would increase from $109 a day to $155.

The Wyoming Constitution prohibits current lawmakers from raising their own salaries, but can do so for future lawmakers.

If the full legislature passes the raise in the 2023 general session or the 2024 budget session, it can’t take effect until 2027, because everyone serving in 2023-2024, must go through re-election at least once.

Only half the Senate would be up for re-election in 2024, thus everyone would have to wait until the other half is up for re-election in 2026.

The subcommittee has been examining the increase in legislative workloads and meeting days outside of the normal legislative sessions and special sessions.

It also voted to create an independent commission to oversee legislator compensation.

The Legislative Management Council will meet on Monday, October 24th in Cheyenne, to further discuss the issues.