Judge salary increases approved

Lawmakers gave final approval May 28 to a measure that raises the salary of Nebraska judges.

All Nebraska judges are paid using a statutory formula based on a percentage of the salary of the chief justice.

LB513, sponsored by Sen. Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln, increases judges’ salaries by 1.5% over the next two fiscal years. The bill raises Nebraska Supreme Court judges’ salaries to $228,431 on July 1, 2025, and to $231,858 on July 1, 2026.

The measure is projected to have a General Fund impact of $1.336 million in fiscal year 2025-26 and $2.685 million in FY2026-27.

LB513 passed on a 38-11 vote and takes effect immediately.