SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1550

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                  Ways & Means, April 2, 1997

Title:  An act relating to disability retirement benefits resulting from criminal conduct.

Brief Description:  Prohibiting disability retirement benefits resulting from criminal conduct.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Doumit, Ballasiotes, Hatfield, Pennington, Kessler, Tokuda, Carlson, Ogden, Romero and Mielke).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  4/2/97 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators West, Chair; Deccio, Vice Chair; Strannigan, Vice Chair; Bauer, Brown, Fraser, Hochstatter, Kohl, Long, Loveland, McDonald, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Snyder, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Debrah Kime (786-7454)

Background:  Members of the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement System Plan (LEOFF), Public Employees Retirement System Plan (PERS), and the Teachers Retirement System Plan may receive disability retirement benefits for employment related disabilities.  Currently some members have received disability retirement from LEOFF Plan I due to stress caused by criminal conduct.

Summary of Bill:  A LEOFF, PERS, or TRS member cannot receive a disability retirement benefit if the disability is the result of criminal conduct by the member committed after the effective date of the act.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  None.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  No one.