SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5365

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Ways & Means, February 6, 1997

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

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

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder, West, Loveland, Brown, Rasmussen, Fairley, Spanel, Hargrove, Sheldon, Roach, Fraser, Wojahn, Franklin, Kline, Oke and Schow.

Brief History:

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

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5365 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill 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:  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 Substitute 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.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The substitute bill corrects incorrect citations in the bill.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 28, 1997.

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

Testimony For:  It is good policy to not allow employees who have committed a crime to collect disability retirement.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Eleanor Dudonsky, Castle Rock concerned citizen (pro); Gene Frymeier, former mayor, Castle Rock (pro).