ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR., Governor                                J.R. 1

JOINT RESOLUTIONS SIGNED

by the

PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

and the

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES

Joint Resolution No. 1
(House Joint Resolution No. 1)

A House Joint Resolution concerning

Judicial Compensation Commission Report

FOR the purpose of proposing an alteration to providing for the compensation of the
members of the Judiciary in this State, pursuant to Section 1-708 of the Courts
and Judicial Proceedings Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

WHEREAS, Section 1-708(b)(2) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article
of the Annotated Code of Maryland establishes a seven-member Judicial
Compensation Commission appointed by the Governor with two members appointed
on nomination of the President of the Senate, two members appointed on nomination
of the Speaker of the House of Delegates, one member appointed on nomination of the
Maryland State Bar Association, and two members appointed at large. The Judicial
Compensation Commission is constituted as follows: appointments made on the
nomination of the President of the Senate: John Paterakis and Elizabeth Buck;
appointments made on the nomination of the Speaker of the House of Delegates:
Laurence Levitan and Charles R. Jenkins, Sr.; appointment made on the nomination
of the Maryland State Bar Association: J. Michael Conroy, Jr.; appointments at large:
Annette J. Funn and Alice G. Pinderhughes. The Commission members elected
Laurence Levitan Chairman; and

WHEREAS, Section 1-708(d) of the Courts and Judicial Proceedings Article of
the Annotated Code of Maryland provides as follows: the General Assembly may
amend this Joint Resolution to decrease any of the Commission's salary
recommendations, but no reduction may diminish the salary of a judge during the
judge's continuance in office. The General Assembly may not amend this Joint
Resolution to increase these recommended salaries. Should the General Assembly not
adopt or amend this Joint Resolution within 50 days of its introduction, the salaries
recommended herein shall apply during fiscal years 2005 through 2008. Should the
General Assembly reject any or all of the salaries herein recommended, the salaries of
the judges so affected shall remain unchanged during fiscal years 2005 through 3008
and 2006 unless modified under other provisions of the law; and

WHEREAS, The Judicial Compensation Commission held two meetings in
October and December 2003. The Commission considered many aspects and facets of
judicial compensation. The Commission by a vote of five or more of its members has
recommended judicial salaries for fiscal years 2005 through 2008; now, therefore, be it

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