Beginning with the first pay day on or after October 1, 1998, all state employees who are listed in the classified and unclassified service of the state as defined in Section 36-26-10, and all other state employees and hourly employees of the state, except those set out in Section 36-6-51, and all legislative personnel, officers, and employees, including, but not limited to, Legislative Reference Service personnel, whether subject to the state Merit System or not, and all circuit clerks and state judges, except as provided in Section 36-6-51, and all employees of the county health departments who are employed subject to the state Merit System and whose compensation is paid out of a budget provided and agreed upon by the state, county, or other contributing agency under the direction of the State Board of Health, shall receive an eight percent salary increase.
Any cost-of-living increase granted under this division shall in no way apply to any local supplement provided to any judges or any other employee of this state. The provisions of this division shall not apply to or increase the compensation of any local employee whose salary is tied to that of any state employee. The increase shall be in addition to the salary received by an employee. It is the intention of the Legislature that the Governor transfer such amounts to, from, and between departments, boards, bureaus, commissions, agencies, offices, and institutions under the direct control of the Governor for the purpose of paying the salary increase for state employees and officials.