Section 21-5-1101 - [Effective Until 7/1/2024] Merit increase pay system - Definition(a)(1) The Department of Transformation and Shared Services is authorized to develop and establish a merit increase pay system in accordance with the performance evaluation process under § 21-5-1001 et seq. for employees of all state agencies, boards, and commissions covered by the Uniform Classification and Compensation Act, § 21-5-201 et seq.(2) The merit increase pay system shall be reviewed by the Legislative Council or, if the General Assembly is in session, the Joint Budget Committee.(b) For the purpose of this subchapter, "merit increase pay system" means a merit-based pay system that incorporates pay and performance evaluation standards according to § 21-5-1001 et seq. and establishes criteria for payments for employees who meet requisite performance categories.(c) Merit payments may be awarded to employees who satisfy performance evaluation-based criteria developed by agencies in accordance with procedures and policies developed and approved by the Office of Personnel Management after review by the Legislative Council.(d)(1) A merit payment under this section may be awarded to an employee whose salary is equal to or above the maximum pay level for the grade assigned to the classification, resulting in the salary for the employee exceeding the maximum pay level for the grade assigned to the classification, if the merit payment resulting in an increase above the maximum pay level is approved by the:(A) Legislative Council; or(B) Joint Budget Committee, if the General Assembly is in regular, fiscal, or extraordinary session.(2)(A) It is both necessary and appropriate that each time a merit payment is provided to an employee whose salary is equal to or above the maximum pay level for the grade assigned to the classification, the General Assembly shall maintain oversight of those salary increases by requiring prior approval of the Legislative Council or, if the General Assembly is in regular, fiscal, or extraordinary session, the Joint Budget Committee.(B) The requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee is not a severable part of this subsection.(C) If the requirement of approval by the Legislative Council or the Joint Budget Committee is found unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, this subsection shall be void.Amended by Act 2023, No. 886,§ 3, eff. 7/1/2023.Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 6149, eff. 7/1/2019.Amended by Act 2017, No. 365,§ 27, eff. 7/1/2017.Amended by Act 2013, No. 1321,§ 6, eff. 7/1/2013.Acts 1999, No. 1061, § 1; 2001, No. 1461, § 12; 2003 (1st Ex. Sess.), No. 22, § 4; 2007, No. 289, § 1; 2007, No. 799, § 2; 2009, No. 688, § 14; 2011, No. 1017, § 10.This section is set out more than once due to postponed, multiple, or conflicting amendments.