FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6212

                                  C 164 L 88

BYSenate Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Senators Pullen, Vognild, Conner, von Reichbauer and Garrett)

Revising membership eligibility of retirement boards for fire fighters and law enforcement officers.

Senate Committee on Law & Justice

House Committe on Commerce & Labor

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Law enforcement officers and firefighters are members of the LEOFF I (membership established prior to September 30, 1977) and LEOFF II (membership established subsequent to September 30, 1977) retirement systems for pension and disability benefits.

Claims for disability benefits for LEOFF I members are approved or disapproved by city or county disability boards under the provisions of the LEOFF I system.  Disability benefits for LEOFF II members are as provided under the Industrial Insurance Act.

However, membership on the LEOFF I disability boards are composed of actively employed LEOFF I and LEOFF II members, even though LEOFF II members have no direct interest in the proper functioning of the boards.

It is suggested that the operation of the local disability boards would be enhanced if retired members of LEOFF I system were given the right to elect members and serve on local disability boards.

SUMMARY:

Retired members of the LEOFF I retirement system are eligible to elect members to the disability boards.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Senate    45     0

      House 92   0 (House amended)

      Senate    44     0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:June 9, 1988