Brief Description: Establishing the composition and jurisdiction of city and county disability boards.

Sponsors: Representatives Sommers, Sullivan, O'Brien, Cooper and Chase.

Hearing Date: 2/3/04

Staff: David Pringle (786-7310).

Background:

The Law Enforcement Officers' and Fire Fighters' Retirement System Plan 1 (LEOFF 1) provides retirement and disability benefits to law enforcement officers and fire fighters who entered eligible employment between 1969 and 1977. Since 1977 eligible law enforcement officers and fire fighters have entered LEOFF 2.

Decisions on eligibility for LEOFF 1 disability and medical benefits is made by city and county LEOFF 1 disability boards. Disability benefits may be granted by LEOFF 1 disability boards to members in LEOFF 1 for both duty and non duty-related causes. In addition to disability benefits, LEOFF 1 is unique among state retirement system benefits in that retiree benefits include coverage for all necessary medical services.

Each city with a population of 20,000 or more has a LEOFF 1 disability board. Each county also has a disability board, and these county boards have jurisdiction over LEOFF 1 members who are not employed in a city that has its own disability board. Under current law, one of the members of a county board must be a member of the legislative body of a city or town in the county that does not have its own board. This member must be chosen by a majority of the mayors of the affected cities or towns.

Elections are held for fire fighter and law enforcement officer-designated LEOFF 1 disability board positions. All members of LEOFF Plan 1 and 2 are entitled to vote for board members. The decision-making authority of the board does not apply to LEOFF 2. Disability board members are not required to be LEOFF 1 members.

The 2003 Legislature enacted Chapter 30, Laws of 2003 (SB 5090) that specified only law enforcement officers and fire fighters subject to the jurisdiction of the LEOFF 1 disability boards may vote in board member elections.

Summary of Bill:

The eligibility of LEOFF 1 members to vote for representation on a county or city LEOFF 1 disability board is restricted to members retired from an employer within the jurisdiction of the board. If there are either no fire fighters or no law enforcement officers eligible to vote within a disability board's jurisdiction, the fire fighters or law enforcement officers who are eligible to vote shall elect a second board member.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.