Constitutional and Statutory Legal Authority, Article 28 of the Constitution, RCW 43.03.300,RCW 43.03.305,RCW 43.03.310

Salaries for members of the legislature, elected officials of the executive branch of state government, and judges of the state's supreme court, court of appeals, superior courts, and district courts shall be fixed by an independent commission created and directed by law to that purpose.

RCW 43.03.300

…declares it to be the policy of this state to base salaries of elected state officials on realistic standards in order that such officials may be paid according to the duties of their offices and so that citizens of the highest quality may be attracted to public service.

RCW 43.03.305

There is created a commission to be known as the Washington citizens commission on salaries for elected officials, to consist of members…

RCW 43.03.310

…commission…shall study the relationship of salaries to the duties of members of the legislature, all elected officials of the executive branch of state government, and all judges of the supreme court, court of appeals, superior courts, and district courts, and shall fix the salary for each respective position.