February 9th was the 30th day of the 60 session. February 9th was also the cut-off date for bills to pass out of the Senate and House fiscal committees. Bills that did not meet this deadline are technically dead with the exception of those Necessary to Implement the Budget (NTIB). This phrase is often applied liberally so legislation that did not make the cut-off are being monitored.

HB2519, the LEOFF survivor package, passed out of the Senate Ways & Means Committee on the evening of cut-off with a striking amendment attached. The amendment stripped the language that would have allowed surviving spouses of LEOFF 2 and WSPRS duty related deaths to continue to receive their L&I payments upon remarriage. It inserted an increase to the L&I lump sum payout option from 24 times the monthly payment to 36 times the monthly payment instead. This change dramatically alters the bill. The various lobbying groups are working to restore it to its original form prior to final passage. A call to the legislative hotline on this bill could be helpful.

The next cut-off date for the legislature is Tuesday, February 16th. Bills must receive a final passage vote from their house of origin by that date.

You can contact your legislators through the legislative hotline - 1.800.562.6000 or through this link.

See the WACOPS legislative tracking for week 5.