PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Implementation of ESB 6380 (chapter 158, Laws of 2002), "Retirement systems -- Benefits options," also called the "Survivor Bill."
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.50.050(5) and statutes cited in the bill.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) will have to adopt new and amended rules to implement ESB 6380. These will be adopted in time to have an effective date no later than July 1, 2003.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Office of the State Actuary may be required to provide actuarial information for implementation of one or more of these rules. DRS works closely with that office.
Process for Developing New Rule: Department staff will work on the project, with the assistance of the Office of the Attorney General. The public is invited and encouraged to participate, as described below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. The Department of Retirement Systems encourages your active participation in the rule-making process. Anyone interested in participating should contact the rules coordinator, below. After the rule(s) is drafted, DRS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy. For more information on how to participate, please contact Merry A. Kogut, Rules Coordinator, Department of Retirement Systems, Mailstop 48380, P.O. Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380, voice (360) 664-7291, TTY (360) 586-5450, e-mail merryk@drs.wa.gov, fax (360) 753-3166.
August 12, 2002
Merry A. Kogut
Rules Coordinator