Utah's part-time legislature is set for a pay bump next year, unless they vote it down

Utah’s 104 part-time lawmakers are in line for a 5% raise. The Legislative Compensation Commission told the Executive Appropriations Committee on Tuesday the daily rate should rise from $301 to $316.

Currently, lawmakers get $301 per day when they’re on the clock—during the 45‑day general session (weekends included), special and veto‑override sessions, interim days, and committee or task force meetings. They can also claim up to 10 days for legislative training. Meetings with constituents, town halls, and other off‑calendar events aren’t compensated.

Lawmakers receive a lump-sum payment of $13,545 before the session in January. Leadership gets more: $5,000 for the Senate President and House Speaker; $4,000 for majority and minority leaders; $3,000 for the rest of leadership.

Compared with other legislatures, Utah sits 18th for the daily rate paid to lawmakers, but just 39th on an annual basis. The commission pegged the hourly rate at $37.63—fifth among Western states and second‑highest among part‑time “citizen” legislatures, behind only West Virginia.

The 5% bump applies to the daily rate only; leadership stipends would not increase.

Lawmakers can’t boost the number beyond the commission’s recommendation. Unless they vote to reject it, the raise kicks in Jan. 1, 2027.

For the first time, the commission surveyed lawmakers about compensation. Most respondents said pay doesn’t match the hours—especially constituent meetings, travel, and other uncompensated days. Some stressed the job is public service, not a paycheck.

A few highlights:

• “I put in so much time to different meeting (sic) that the hourly amount I get is less than minimum wage.”
• “I don’t quibble with the daily rate, but there are so many non-compensated days that the earnings rate for work is really quite low.”
• A decade‑long House‑and‑Senate veteran: “Trying to juggle all that is asked of me with one legislative assistant who I share with 7 other senators… We run a very conservative legislature and in my opinion a little too conservative considering staff support etc.”
• “I don’t want taxes going up but it does cost me a lot financially to step away and do this.”

Lawmakers can opt into state employee health plans; annual costs range roughly from $10,000 (single) to $27,500 (family).

The state also covers healthcare or Medicaid for retired lawmakers—but only those who entered office before 2012. That cutoff rankled some.

“I’m getting older and don’t have medical insurance,” one wrote. “I hate the fact that we used to provide medical insurance coverage for legislators if they served a certain number of years. I came in one year too late and didn’t get that… can we bring it back for a few of us?”

Lawmakers are eligible for the state’s retirement program after four years. If they were in office before July 1, 2011, the state contributes $33.20 per month; for those elected after, the state contributes 10% of compensation. One lawmaker said the newer structure discourages longer service.

“Retirement benefits that don’t tenure after 10 years has become problematic. This has made for a decrease in average length of tenure. Losing institutional knowledge,” they said.

Lawmakers are reimbursed for some meals and travel. They also receive a legislature‑paid mobile phone or an allowance of up to $58 per month for a personal phone and plan.

Email - tips@utahpolitics.news

UtahPoliticalWatch.01 on Signal