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

HB 1479

Brief Description:  Providing a death benefit for certain state employees.

Sponsors:  Representatives Alexander, Grant, Barlean, Rockefeller, Ericksen, Campbell, Romero, Fromhold, Buck, H. Sommers, Bush, Doumit, Conway, Lantz, Kessler, Pennington, Hatfield, Clements, Cox, Benson, Santos, Kenney, Cooper, Kagi, O'Brien, Simpson, Armstrong, Dunshee, Linville, Schual‑Berke, D. Schmidt, Cairnes, Morris, Ogden, Roach, Keiser, Schoesler, G. Chandler, Lovick, McIntire, Hunt, Hurst, Quall, Jackley, Carrell, Mulliken, Edmonds, Jarrett, Woods and Wood.

Brief Summary of Bill

$Provides a $150,000 death benefit to the survivors of members of the Public Employees= Retirement System, Teachers= Retirement System, and the School Employees= Retirement System who die in the course of employment.

Hearing Date:  2/8/01

Staff:  Andrea Hardy (786‑7349).

Background: 

In 1996 the Legislature passed Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5322 (Chapter 226, Laws of 1996), which provides an additional $150,000 duty-related death benefit to survivors of members of Law Enforcement Officers= and Fire Fighters and Washington State Patrol Retirement Systems.   The duty-related death benefit is paid only where death occurs as a result of injuries sustained in the course of employment.  The Department of Labor and Industries determines eligibility for the benefit.  There is also no time limit following the injury in which the death must result.

Summary of Bill: 

Surviving spouses, designees, or legal representatives of the Public Employees= Retirement System, Teachers= Retirement System, or the School Employees= Retirement System members (all plans) receive a benefit of $150,000 for the death of the member as a result of injuries sustained in the course of employment.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 2, 2001.

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