H-2976.2          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2091

                  _______________________________________________

State of Washington              54th Legislature             1995 Regular Session

By Representative Sommers

Read first time 04/12/95.

Continuing coverage for members of the state patrol retirement system and higher education retirement plans who serve as legislators.

     AN ACT Relating to the continuation of retirement coverage while on leave of absence for public service; adding a new section to chapter 43.43 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 28B.10 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.43 RCW to read as follows:

     Any member of the retirement system who, on or after January 1, 1995, is on leave of absence for the purpose of serving as a state legislator, may elect to continue to be a member of this retirement system.  The member shall continue to receive service credit subject to the following:

     (1) The member will not receive more than one month's service credit in a calendar month;

     (2) Employer contributions shall be paid by the legislature;

     (3) Contributions shall be based on the regular compensation which the member would have received had such a member not served in the legislature;

     (4) The service and compensation credit under this section shall be granted only for periods during which the legislature is in session; and

     (5) No service credit for service as a legislator will be allowed after a member separates from employment with the Washington state patrol.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 28B.10 RCW to read as follows:

     (1) Any employee who is on leave of absence from an institution in order to serve as a state legislator may elect to continue to participate in any annuity or retirement plan authorized under RCW 28B.10.400 during the period of such leave.

     (2) The institution shall pay the employee's salary attributable to legislative service and shall pay employer contributions based on the salary for the leave period.  The state legislature shall reimburse the institution for the salary and employer contributions covering the leave period.

     (3) "Institution" for purposes of this section shall mean any institution or entity authorized to provide retirement benefits under RCW 28B.10.400.

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