HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5483

As Amended by the House

BYSenators Patterson and Metcalf

Authorizing certain leaves of absence to be credited toward higher education retirement benefits.

House Committe on Ways & Means/Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (17)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Allen, Belcher, Braddock, Brekke, Bristow, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Grant, Grimm, Hine, McLean, McMullen, Peery, Silver, H. Sommers and Sprenkle.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Niemi.

House Staff:Randy Acker (786-7153)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 17, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Faculty members of institutions of higher education occasionally take leaves of absence without pay to work with the United States government as well as other foreign and domestic governmental and non-governmental entities.  In many instances, the salaries received for this work do not flow through institutional channels.  This has the effect of interrupting service for the purpose of retirement as neither the faculty member or the institution may contribute to the institutional retirement system of the basis of external service and salary.

SUMMARY:

A faculty member who is granted a leave of absence without pay may receive up to two years credit for periods while on such leave.  In order to receive such credit the member must pay to the institution both the employer and employee contributions required under RCW 28B.10.405 and 28B.10.410 and must return to employment immediately following the leave of absence for at least two years.  Any benefit under RCW 28B.10.400(3) shall be based only on the member's compensation earned from employment with the university or college.

Fiscal Note:      Requested April 4, 1987.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.