(a) Beginning in January 15, 2017, and every four years thereafter, the Governor shall convene a Commission to conduct a review of the salaries, expense allowances, and other emoluments of the Governor; the Lieutenant Governor; members of the Governor’s cabinet, including the Attorney General, all commissioners and directors of government agencies; judicial officers; senators of the Legislature; and the Inspector General of the Virgin Islands. The Commission shall make the review for the purpose of determining and providing the pay levels appropriate for the duties and responsibilities of the respective offices and positions subject to such review. The Commission may hold public hearings and invite members of the public, the Virgin Islands Bar, judicial officers, government officials and experts to provide testimony.
(b) In determining the compensation for each non-judicial office, the Commission shall consider the following factors:
(1) The amount of compensation needed to attract and retain qualified, experienced and competent persons;
(2) The amount of compensation paid in government service and the private sector to persons with similar qualifications;
(3) The average consumer prices, commonly known as the cost of living;
(4) The increase or decrease of median household income of Virgin Islands households and other economic indicators;
(5) The overall compensation presently received by the public officials and all other benefits received;
(6) The interests and welfare of the public and the financial ability of the Territory to meet those costs;
(7) Such other factors not confined to the foregoing which are normally or traditionally taken into consideration in the determination of such compensation; and
(8) Any other factors the Commission may consider to be reasonable, appropriate and in the public interest.
(c) In order to carry out its responsibilities to make findings, conclusions and recommendations as to the proper salary and benefits of the judicial officers, the Commission shall consider the following additional factors:
(1) The skill, experience, and education required of a particular judicial office;
(2) The value of compensable service performed by judicial officers, as determined by reference to judicial compensation in the District Court of the Virgin Islands, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, the states comprising the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the District of Columbia;
(3) The compensation of attorneys in the private sector, government, academia, and non-profit enterprises with comparable responsibility, training and experience; and
(4) Changes in the cost of living for judicial officers relative to the last time judicial compensation was set for a particular judgeship, including any increase in health or retirement contributions to be paid by the judicial officer.
(d) When considering the factors enumerated in subsections (b) and (c) of this section, the Commission may employ academic or professional experts to provide statistical analyses and relevant data.