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Legislator Compensation 2008

Updated March 2008

State

Salary

Per Diem

Alabama

$10/day (C)

$3850/month adjusted annually to reflect any increase in the cost of living as indicated by U.S. Dept of Labor Consumer Price Index plus $50/day for three days during each week that the legislature actually meets during any session (U).

Alaska

$24,012/year

$163 or $218 /day (depending on the time of year) tied to federal rate. Legislators who reside in the Capitol area receive 75% of the federal rate.

Arizona

$24,000/year

$35/day for the first 120 days of regular session and special session.  $10/day thereafter. Members residing outside Maricopa County receive an additional $25/day for the first 120 days of regular session and special session.  An additional $10/day thereafter (V).  Set by statute.

Arkansas

$15,060/year

$136/day (V) plus mileage tied to federal rate.

California

$116,098/year

$170/day for each day they are in session.

Colorado

$30,000/year

$45/day for members living in the Denver metro area. $150/day for members living outside Denver (V).

Connecticut

$28,000/year

No per diem is paid.

Delaware

$42,750/year

$7,334 expense allowance annually.

Florida

$31,932/year

$126/day for House and $133 for Senate (V) tied to federal rate. Based on the number of days in session. Travel vouchers are filed to substantiate.

Georgia

$17,342/year

$173/day (U) set by the Legislative Services Committee.

Hawaii

$36,700/year

$150/day for members living outside Oahu. $10/day for members living on Oahu (V).  Set by the legislature.

Idaho

$16,116/year

$122/day for members establishing second residence in Boise. $49/day if no second residence is established and up to $25/day travel (V) set by the legislature.

Illinois

$65,353/year

$129/per session day.

Indiana

$11,600/year

$141/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Iowa

$25,000/year

$124/day (U). $93.00/day for Polk County legislators (U) Set by the legislature to coincide with federal rate. State mileage rates apply.

Kansas

$86.50/day (C)

$109/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Kentucky

$184.88/day (C)

$108.90/day (U) tied to federal rate (110% Federal per diem rate).

Louisiana

$16,800/year

$143/day (U) tied to federal rate (26 U.S.C. Section 162(h)(1)(B)(ii))

Maine

$12,713/year for first session; $9,316/year for second regular session.

$38/day housing, or mileage and tolls in lieu of housing (at rate of $0.36/mile up to $38/day) plus $32/day for meals. Per diem limits are set by statute.

Maryland

$43,500/year

Lodging $123/day. Meals $41/day maximum.

Massachusetts

$58,237.15/year

From $10/day-$100/day, depending on distance from State House (V) set by the legislature.

Michigan

$79,650/year

$12,000 yearly expense allowance for session and interim (V) set by compensation commission.

Minnesota

$31,140.90/year

Senators receive $96/day and Representatives receive $77/legislative day (U) set by the legislature.

Mississippi

$10,000/year

$109/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Missouri

$31,351/year

$87.20/day (U) tied to federal rate. Verification of per diem is by roll call.

Montana

$82.67/day (L)

$98.75/day (U)

Nebraska

$12,000/year

$109/day outside 50-mile radius from Capitol. $39/day if member resides within 50 miles of Capitol (V) tied to federal rate.

Nevada

$137.90/day

Federal rate for Capitol area (U). Legislators who live more than 50 miles from the capitol, if require lodging, will be paid HUD single-room rate for Carson City area for each month of session.

New Hampshire

$200/two-year term

No per diem is paid.

New Jersey

$49,000/year

No per diem is paid.

New Mexico

None

$144/day (V) tied to federal rate and the constitution.

New York

$79,500/year

Varies (V) tied to federal rate.

North Carolina

$13,951/year

$104/day (U) set by statute. $559.00/month expense allowance.

North Dakota

$130/day (session) (C)

Lodging reimbursement up to $900/month (V).

Ohio

$60,584/year

No per diem is paid.

Oklahoma

$38,400/year

$122/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Oregon

$19,884/yr

$109/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Pennsylvania

$76,163/year

$152 High/Low Method $133 GSA Method

Rhode Island

$13,089.44/year

No per diem is paid.

South Carolina

$10,400/year

$131/day for meals and housing for each session day and committee meeting tied to federal rate.

South Dakota

$12,000/two year term

$110/legislative day (U) set by the legislature.

Tennessee

$18,123/year

$161/legislative day (U) tied to federal rate.

Texas

$7,200/year

$139/day (U) set by Ethics Commission.

Utah

$130/day (C)

$107/day (U) lodging for each calendar day.  Tied to federal rate.  $54/day meals (U).

Vermont

$614.30/week during session. $118 per day for special sessions or interim committee meetings.

Federal per diem rate for Montpelier is $83/day for lodging and $54/day for meals for non-commuters. Commuters receive $54/day for meals plus mileage.

Virginia

$18,000/year (Senate)$17,640/year (House)

House $135/day (U) tied to federal rate.  Senate $169/day (U) tied to federal rate.

Washington

$41,280/year

$100/day-House; $90/day-Senate

West Virginia

$15,000/year

$131/day during session (U) set by compensation commission.

Wisconsin

$47,413/year

$88/day maximum (U) set by compensation commission (90% of federal rate).

Wyoming

$150/day (L)

$85/day(V)  Includes travel days for those outside of Cheyenne.

L = Legislative day

C = Calendar day

(V) Vouchered   (U) Unvouchered

For More Information about Legislator Compensation,
Write or Call:

Morgan Cullen, NCSL Policy Associate
Phone: (303) 866-1431
Fax: (303) 364-7800
Email: Morgan.Cullen@ncsl.org

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