PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
RETIREMENT SYSTEMS
Subject of Possible Rule Making: LEOFF Plan 1 requirements for ex spouses to qualify for survivor benefits.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.50.050(5), chapter 62, Laws of 2005.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department will write rules to implement HB 1319, enacted during the 2005 legislative session, and make other changes as needed. HB 1319 will make some exspouses eligible for survivor benefits who are currently ineligible for such benefits.
Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) will develop the draft rule(s) with the assistance of the Attorney General's Office. 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. DRS encourages your active participation in the rule-making process. 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. The notice will include the time and date of a public rules hearing. DRS will send a copy of the notice and the proposed rule(s) to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy. To request a copy or for more information on how to participate, please contact Leslie Saeger, Rules and Contracts Coordinator, Department of Retirement Systems, P.O. Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380, voice (360) 664-7291, TTY (360) 586-5450, fax (360) 753-3166, e-mail leslies@drs.wa.gov.
June 9, 2005
Leslie Saeger
Rules Coordinator