Bill > SB154

This bill mandates a two percent salary increase for most state employees, including those in classified and unclassified service, judicial personnel, and legislative staff, effective for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2026, though it excludes local supplements for judges and employees whose pay is tied to state employees, as well as Merit System or hourly employees covered by labor agreements. Additionally, the bill establishes a one-time "longevity bonus" for retirees of the Employees' Retirement System, calculated as one dollar per month for each year of service, with specific provisions for beneficiaries and local employers who opt into the program, provided that receiving this bonus does not impair Medicaid eligibility. The bill also outlines administrative procedures for implementing these changes, including revisions to pay schedules by relevant department heads and the State Comptroller's role in issuing warrants, and clarifies that the appropriations for these increases will be made in the annual budget act.