On Monday, the Arizona Rules Committee will consider a bipartisan bill; HB2227, which will increase legislators’ reimbursement for travel up to the current federal rate. HB2227 would increase the current rate of $0.44.5 to $0.53.5 per mile.
For rural lawmakers, who travel hundreds of miles back and forth to the Capitol every weekend, the increase will make a world of difference.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, only 10 states, including Arizona, pay less than the federal rate.
The following table details the salaries and per diem compensation for state legislators across the country.
| State | Salary | Per diem |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $42,830/year | No set per diem during the legislative session. Legislators are reimbursed for in-state travel expenses, which include mileage and per diem. |
| Alaska | $50,400/year | $223 or $249/day (depending on the time of year); tied to the 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 the regular session and for special sessions and $10/day thereafter. Members residing outside Maricopa County receive an additional $25/day for the first 120 days of the regular session and for special sessions and an additional $10/day thereafter. Set by statute. |
| Arkansas | $39,400/year | $150/day plus mileage; tied to the federal rate. |
| California | $100,113/year | $176/day for each day in session. |
| Colorado | $30,000/year | $99/day for members living outside Denver; $45/day for members who live 50 or fewer miles from the Capitol. |
| Connecticut | $28,000/year | No per diem is paid. Mileage is .54/mile. |
| Delaware | $44,541/year | No per diem is paid. |
| Florida | $29,697/year | $152/day based on the number of days in session. |
| Georgia | $17,342/year | $173/day, set by the Legislative Services Committee. |
| Hawaii | $60,180/year for members | $175/day for members living outside Oahu in session; $10/day for members living on Oahu. |
| Idaho | $16,684/year | $129/day for members establishing a second residence in Boise; $49/day if no second residence is established and up to $25/day travel. Set by the compensation commission. |
| Illinois | $67,836/year; members are required to forfeit one day of compensation per month | $111/per session day. |
| Indiana | $24,671/year | $161/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| Iowa | $25,000/year | $160/day; $120/day for Polk County legislators. Set by the legislature to coincide with the federal rate. State mileage rates apply. |
| Kansas | $88.66/day | $140/day |
| Kentucky | $188.22/day | $154/day |
| Louisiana | $16,800/year | $157/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| Maine | $14,074/year for first regular session; $9,982/year for second regular session | $38/day for lodging, or mileage and tolls in lieu of housing (at a rate of $0.44/mile up to $38/day) plus $32/day for meals. Set by statute. |
| Maryland | $46,061/year | $101/day for lodging; $45/day for meals. Tied to the federal rate and the compensation commission. |
| Massachusetts | $60,032/year | $10–$100/day, depending on the distance from the State House; set by the legislature. |
| Michigan | $71,685/year | $10,800/year expense allowance for session and interim; set by the compensation commission. |
| Minnesota | $31,141/year | $86/day for senators and $66/day for representatives, per approval of the committee chair or leadership. Set by the legislature. |
| Mississippi | $10,000/year | $140/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| Missouri | $35,915/year | $112/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| Montana | $82.64/day | $112.85/day |
| Nebraska | $12,000/year | $140/day for members residing 50 miles or more from the Capitol; $51/day for members inside the 50-mile radius. |
| Nevada | $146.29/day for maximum of 60 days of session | $140/per day |
| New Hampshire | $200/two-year term | No per diem is paid. |
| New Jersey | $49,000/year for members | No per diem is paid. |
| New Mexico | None | $163/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| New York | $79,500/year | $174/day (including overnight) or $59/day (no overnight). |
| North Carolina | $13,951/year | $104/day; set by statute. |
| North Dakota | $172/day during legislative sessions | Lodging reimbursement up to $1,682 per month. |
| Ohio | $60,584/year | No per diem is paid. |
| Oklahoma | $38,400/year | $157/day; tied to the federal rate. |
| Oregon | $23,568/year | $140/day |
| Pennsylvania | $85,339/year | $175/day; tied to the federal rate |
| Rhode Island | $15,414/year | No per diem is paid. |
| South Carolina | $10,400/year | $140/day for meals and housing for each statewide session day and committee meeting; tied to the federal rate. |
| South Dakota | $6,000/session | $140/legislative day; set by the legislature. |
| Tennessee | $20,884/year | $204/legislative day; tied to federal rate. |
| Texas | $7,200/year | $190/day; set by the ethics commission. |
| Utah | $273/day | Up to $100 plus tax/calendar day for lodging allotment; Up to $39/date meal reimbursement. |
| Vermont | $693.74/week during the legislative session only | $115/day for lodging (including overnight) or $74/day (no overnight). |
| Virginia | $18,000/year for the Senate; $17,640/year for the House | $185/day |
| Washington | $45,474/year | $120/day |
| West Virginia | $20,000/year | $131/day in session; set by the compensation commission. |
| Wisconsin | $50,950/year | The Wisconsin State Senate allows up to $88/day for per diem. For Senators living in Dane County, they receive a per diem of $44 per day. The Wisconsin State Assembly allows a maximum of $138/day per diem for legislators that stay overnight. For legislators that do not commute, they are given $69/day for per diem. |
| Wyoming | $150/day during session | $109/day, including travel days for those outside of Cheyenne; set by the legislature. |