HOUSE BILL REPORT

                      HB 1219

                     As Reported By House Committee on:

                                 Education

Title:  An act relating to pension payments to retired teachers.

Brief Description:  Allowing retired teachers to work in educational institutions for ninety days without a reduction in benefits.

Sponsor(s):  Representatives Brumsickle, Peery, Holland, Cole, P. Johnson, Betrozoff, Vance, G. Fisher, Neher, Rasmussen, Broback, Dorn, Ferguson, Winsley, D. Sommers, Fuhrman, Van Luven, Mielke, Wood, Jones, Jacobsen, Padden, Pruitt, Basich, Inslee, Leonard and Cooper.

Brief History:

   Reported by House Committee on:

Education, February 27, 1991, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON

EDUCATION

Majority Report: Do pass.  Signed by 19 members:  Representatives Peery, Chair; G. Fisher, Vice Chair; Brough, Ranking Minority Member; Vance, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Betrozoff; Broback; Brumsickle; Cole; Dorn; Holland; P. Johnson; Jones; Neher; Orr; Phillips; Rasmussen; Roland; H. Sommers; and Valle.

Staff:  Robert Butts (786-7111).

Background:  Under current law, retired teachers on Plan I may serve as substitute teachers for up to 75 days a school year without affecting their retirement benefits.

Some believe that the shortage of certificated substitute teachers in many regions of the State would be reduced if retired teachers could work an additional 15 days annually.

Summary of Bill:  A retired teacher on Plan I may work up to 90 days per school year without a reduction in his/her retirement.  The current limit is 75 days.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  There is a serious shortage of substitute teachers that could be partially offset by allowing retirees to work 15 additional days a year.  Plus, retired teachers make good substitutes: they are knowledgeable and experienced.

Testimony Against:  Allowing school teachers to hire retired school teachers for one-half a school year could result in displacing full-time teachers.

Witnesses:  Kris Van Gorkom, Washington Association of School Administrators (Pro); Karen Davis, Washington Education Association (has concerns); and Jean Leonard and Clint Richardson, Seattle School District (Pro).