AUGUSTA (AP) – Legislative leaders have agreed to give extra pay to lawmakers who served during a special session last year, according to David Boulter, executive director of the Legislative Council.

The final numbers have not yet been tallied to determine the amount, Boulter said. But the council, which is the governing board for the Maine House and Senate, reserved $900,000 in a special fund from the Legislature’s operational budget, he said.

In March, a Kennebec County Superior Court justice ruled in favor of several legislators who sued leaders of the Democratic majority and the Legislative Council claiming they were entitled to an additional $100 a day when called into special session.

The dispute arose when majority Democrats pushed through a supplemental budget bill and then technically adjourned the Legislature, which was subsequently called back into special session.

The special session did not practically alter the Legislature’s chores or schedule for the year. Special sessions, however, normally require premium pay for lawmakers who must return unexpectedly to the capital.

Under current law, legislators are paid about $19,000 for serving a two-year term. Revised state law provides that lawmakers are compensated at a rate of $100 a day in special sessions held outside the regular meeting period for the House and Senate.

“I do not want the $100 a day, but I understand now that the court has ruled, some people will feel like it is legal and that they’re due this money and they’re going to take it,” said Sen. Beth Edmonds, D-Freeport. “I’m giving people my view and they can make their own decisions. Lots of us won’t.”