SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5219

               As Passed Senate, March 11, 1997

Title:  An act relating to transferring prior service in the law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' pension system plan I.

Brief Description:  Transferring law enforcement officers' and fire fighters' retirement system plan I service.

Sponsors:  Senators Winsley, Long, Fraser, Bauer and Franklin; by request of Joint Committee on Pension Policy.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  2/5/97, 2/6/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/11/97, 48-0.

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, McDonald, Roach, Rossi, Schow, Sheldon, Spanel, Swecker, Thibaudeau, Winsley and Zarelli.

Staff:  Debrah Kime (786-7454)

Background:  Current law regarding portability provisions does not cover Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement System (LEOFF) Plan I members.  If a former LEOFF I member receives a pension from LEOFF I and from another state retirement system, then each pension is based on the service credit and salary earned in each system separately.

Summary of Bill:  Former members of LEOFF Plan I who are currently in the Public Employees Retirement System, Teachers Retirement System, or State Patrol are allowed to transfer their service in LEOFF I into their current retirement system plan.  Members who have withdrawn contributions from LEOFF I are given an opportunity to restore their contributions prior to transferring to their current retirement system.  All ties with LEOFF I are severed, including post-retirement medical benefits, upon transfer.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 20, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  The testimony centered around the portability feature the LEOFF Plan I would now have.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Ian Wallace, WSCSTC (pro); John Brinsmead, Washington State Gambling Commission (pro).