Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Appropriations

HB 1047

Brief Description:  Exempting trainers and trainees in housing authority resident training programs from membership in the public employees' retirement system.

Sponsors:  Representatives H. Sommers, Lambert, Conway, Doumit, McIntire, Haigh and Kenney.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Creates an exemption from Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) membership and related PERS retirement contributions for individuals employed exclusively as trainers or trainees in a housing authority resident training program if the individuals are contributing members of a union sponsored or Taft-Hartley retirement plan.

Hearing Date:  2/1/01

Staff:  Andrea Hardy (786‑7349).

Background: 

Housing authorities may become employers under the Public Employees= Retirement System (PERS).  If an employer elects to cover its employees under PERS it must cover all employees who meet the PERS eligibility requirements.  In 1997 the Legislature amended the PERS membership provisions to exempt from PERS coverage any local government employee who was enrolled in a state-approved apprenticeship program authorized under chapter 49.04 RCW, if the employee was a member of a union-sponsored retirement plan or a Taft-Hartley retirement plan while engaged in employment as an apprentice.

Some housing authorities have resident apprentice training programs that provide resident trainees the opportunity to gain trade skills while working on renovation projects at housing authority properties.  These programs are similar in nature to state-approved apprenticeship programs.

Summary of Bill: 

Persons employed exclusively as trainers or trainees in resident apprenticeship training programs operated by housing authorities are excluded from PERS membership if the person is a member of a union-sponsored retirement plan or a Taft-Hartley retirement plan for such employment.

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

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.