(Editor’s note: This is an updated version of the story. The bill allowing the Tennessee Attorney General to set his own salary is tied to state statue, which says he cannot pay himself more than an associate justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court.)
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti would be able to set his own salary under a House-passed measure.
The move comes after Skrmetti failed to receive an increase of $2.8 million from the governor to hire 15 more positions in fiscal 2024-25, documents show.
The House approved the bill 73-21 Monday night, giving the attorney general authority to determine his salary and those of staff as part of an effort to make the office more competitive with the private market. Just last year, the Legislature approved $5.1 million last year for salary market adjustments and other expenses.
The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Andrew Farmer, R-Sevierville, argued that the Attorney General’s Office needs to boost pay because of high turnover.