SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 632

BYHouse Committee on Constitution, Elections & Ethics (originally sponsored by Representatives Fisch, Winsley, Day, R. King, Fisher, Baugher, Lux and Crane)

Authorizing retirement allowance deductions for political committee dues.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Halsan, Chairman; Garrett, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Talmadge.

Minority Report:     Do not pass.

     Signed by Senators McCaslin, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Barbara Howard (786-7410); Eugene Green (786-7405)

                April 3, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, MARCH 31, 1987

BACKGROUND:

With certain exceptions, the right of a person to a pension, annuity, or retirement allowance under the state's Public Employees' Retirement System is unassignable.  This prohibition of state law does not prohibit a beneficiary of a retirement allowance from authorizing deductions for payment of: (1) premiums due for certain group insurance policies or plans issued for the benefit of public employees and approved by the State Employees' Insurance Board or the Department of Retirement Systems; or (2) dues and other membership fees to any retirement association or organization composed of retired public employees which satisfy certain requirements.

SUMMARY:

A provision of state law is amended which declares that the right of a person to a retirement allowance under the state's Public Employees' Retirement System is, with certain exceptions, unassignable.  This prohibition against assigning such an allowance does not prohibit a beneficiary from authorizing voluntary deductions for a political committee of an association or organization of retired public employees which is qualified to receive such deductions itself or to voluntary deductions for a political committee of a national affiliate of such an association or organization.  Such a political committee must be registered with the Public Disclosure Commission and/or the Federal Election Commission.  The name and address of such a political committee shall be submitted to the Department of Retirement Systems by the governing body of a qualifying retirement association or organization.  Verification that the political committee is registered and remains designated by such a governing body shall be submitted to the department annually.

Fiscal Note:    available

Senate Committee - Testified:   Dick Bever, retired employee