SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5485

                     As of March 11, 1997

Title:  An act relating to law enforcement officers for the state parks and recreation commission and the state liquor control board.

Brief Description:  Allowing certain law enforcement officers to transfer retirement service.

Sponsors:  Senators West, Roach, Heavey, Prentice, Bauer, Zarelli, Schow, Goings, Winsley, Hargrove, Oke, Benton, Franklin, Strannigan, Brown, Swecker, Stevens, Morton, Prince, Snyder, Hale, Horn, Kohl and Sheldon.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Ways & Means:  3/10/97.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Debrah Kime (786-7454)

Background:  Most law enforcement officers employed by state and local agencies are members of the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Retirement System (LEOFF). Officers of liquor control enforcement and state park rangers are members of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS).

Summary of Bill:  Employees hired as officers of liquor control enforcement and state park rangers, who are hired 90 days after the effective date of this act, become members of LEOFF II.  Current members have one year to make an irrevocable decision to transfer to LEOFF II retroactively, transfer to LEOFF II prospectively, or stay in PERS.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Park rangers are recognized in the law enforcement arena as peers.  The only area they are not considered as law enforcement is in their retirement system.  Age is critical to law enforcement.  Liquor Control Board enforcement officers participate in raids and stings.  The State Parks Commission voted that it is appropriate to move the rangers to LEOFF.  It is better to move the rangers to LEOFF than to pay disabilities for those in the age 55-65 group.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Lynn McKinnon, WPEA; Dawn Tozer, Washington State Liquor Control Board; Robert Knowles, WSLCB; Norm Rockett, Washington State Parks; Rex Durr, Program Chief for State Parks.