Published on 01/24/2010

The Legislature is in session. Thus far we know of only two bills that impact LEOFF 1. While they provide significant improvements for a few they have no impact on the overall pension. Neither of these bills will affect many LEOFF 1 members.

HB 2519 LEOFF I & II State Patrol
Included is a LEOFF I amendment to increase duty death as a result of an occupational injury or illness from $150,000 to $214,000 and add an escalator. Also adds for LEOFF I a surviving spouse to the eligibility list for free college tuition.

SB 6078 LEOFF I Amendment
Allows a spouse of a member who is killed in the line of duty, with more than 25 years of service credit to select a 50% disability pension or a service pension of 2% for each year of service credit. Example: 31 years of service credit equals a 62% pension.

Read the full story for more information on these bills.

HB 2519

Summary of Bill

Removes the 10-year service requirement in Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement Plan 2 (LEOFF 2) and the Washington State Patrol Retirement System Plan 2 (WSPRS 2) for survivors of duty-related deaths to qualify for a survivor annuity.
Removes the actuarial reduction for a joint and 100 percent survivor option applied to survivor annuities in LEOFF 2 and WSPRS 2 for survivors of duty-related death.
Provides a minimum survivor annuity in LEOFF 2 and WSPRS 2 of 10 percent of final average salary for survivors of duty-related deaths.
Increases the lump-sum, duty-related death benefit in all plans of LEOFF and WSPRS to $214,000 and annually increases the lump sum by up to 3 percent per year.
Exempts LEOFF and WSPRS duty-related death survivors from general provisions that halt workers’ compensation pension benefits after remarriage.
Requires (rather than permits as in current law) state higher education institutions to waive payment of all tuition, services, and activity fees for both the children and surviving spouses of any law enforcement officer, firefighter, or Washington State Patrol Officer that died or became totally disabled in the line of duty.

Sponsors: Representatives Green, Hope, Ericks, Maxwell, Sullivan, Upthegrove, Carlyle, Conway, Simpson, Van De Wege, Kenney, Morrell, Hurst, Campbell and Kelley; by request of LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Board.

Action to date in the 2010 REGULAR SESSION:

Jan 4 Prefiled for introduction.
Jan 11 First reading, referred to Ways & Means. (View Original Bill)
Jan 19 Public hearing and executive action taken in the House Committee on Ways & Means at 3:30 PM. (Committee Materials)
WAYS - Executive action taken by committee.
WAYS - Majority; do pass. (Majority Report)
Jan 21 Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

Links:
Original Bill
House Bill Analysis
House Bill Report

SB 6078

Summary of the bill:

This bill would allows the spouse of a member who is killed in the line of duty, with more than 25 years of service credit to select a 50% disability pension or a service pension of 2% for each year of service credit. Example: 31 years of service credit equals a 62% pension.

Legislative Action to Date:

2009 REGULAR SESSION
Feb 23 First reading, referred to Ways & Means.
2010 REGULAR SESSION
Jan 11 By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

Links:
Original Bill