HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 EHB 1934

                      As Passed House:

                       March 15, 1995

Title:  An act relating to the Washington state patrol retirement system.

Brief Description:  Establishing benefits for state patrol retirement system members who serve as legislators.

Sponsors:  Representatives Mielke, Silver, Sommers, L. Thomas, Hankins, Blanton and Honeyford.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Appropriations:  3/1/95, 3/6/95 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House:  3/15/95, 95-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 28 members:  Representatives Silver, Chairman; Clements, Vice Chairman; Huff, Vice Chairman; Pelesky, Vice Chairman; Sommers, Ranking Minority Member; Basich; Beeksma; Brumsickle; Carlson; Chappell; Cooke; Crouse; Dellwo; Foreman; Hargrove; Hickel; Jacobsen; Lambert; Lisk; McMorris; Poulsen; Reams; Rust; Sehlin; Sheahan; Talcott; Thibaudeau and Wolfe.

Staff:  Dan Chang (786-7191).

Background:   Currently, members of the Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS) cannot earn service credit while on leave of absence to serve in the state Legislature. 

Members of institutions of higher education belonging to the Teachers Retirement and Annuities Association of America/College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA/CREF) do not receive retirement contributions while on leave of absence to serve in the state Legislature.

Summary of Bill:  This bill allows WSPRS members to receive service credits during a leave of absence while serving as a state legislator.  The Legislature will make employer contributions for the member.

Contributions will be based on the regular compensation the member would have received had he or she not served in the Legislature.  Service and compensation credit will be granted only for periods during which the Legislature was in session while the member is an active employee of the State Patrol. 

Legislators who are employees of higher education institutions can have retirement contributions made to TIAA/CREF based on legislative salary.  The institution will pay the legislative salary and receive reimbursement from the Legislature.

This act takes effect beginning on or after January 1, 1995.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  The system is not consistent and should be corrected.  HB 1934 moves toward this goal.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Mike Patrick, State Council of Police Officers (pro).