State employees will get an 8 percent raise over the next two years if lawmakers agree to changes a Senate committee made to a bill Friday.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved giving state employees a 4 percent raise in each of the next two years Friday by amending House Bill 1050.

The House's version of that bill gives state employees 3 percent in July and 4 percent the next year. However, of that 4 percent in the House version in the second year, 2 percent would be distributed according to certain factors, including equity.

Sen. Ray Holmberg, R-Grand Forks, said there will be several pay options considered before the session is over.

"The big thing is that the money is there now," said Holmberg, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Democrats tried to add another pay option to the bill, but it was defeated.

Sen. Tim Mathern, D-Fargo, made a motion to include a $5 million equity pool to address equity among state employees. Mathern said there is a big need to improve equity because some agencies have trouble filling positions.

Holmberg said lawmakers will have the chance to vote on an equity fund in another bill.

The committee's action came one day after the House voted to give themselves an 8 percent pay raise. Holmberg said that wasn't why the amendment was approved Friday.

"We're trying to get all the bills out of committee," Holmberg said.

Mathern wants the Legislature to hold off on increasing its own pay until other state employees are given a raise.

Pay for state employees has been a big issue this Legislature. The 2003 Legislature didn't give state employees a raise, but did pick up increased costs of health insurance.

Gov. John Hoeven's budget calls for giving state employees a guaranteed 4 percent the first year and at least a 3 percent raise the second year. Hoeven's plan allows for a full 4 percent the second year if savings could be found in agency budgets for the extra 1 percent.

House Bill 1050 will soon be voted on in the Senate. The bill likely will be sent to a conference committee made up of members of each house before it is eventually passed.

(Reach reporter Tom Rafferty at 223-8482 or tom.rafferty@bismarcktribune.com.)