SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6218
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Ways & Means, January 23, 2020
Transportation, February 10, 2020
Title: An act relating to the definition of salary for the Washington state patrol retirement system.
Brief Description: Modifying the definition of salary for the Washington state patrol retirement system.
Sponsors: Senators Schoesler and Conway; by request of Select Committee on Pension Policy.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 1/15/20, 1/23/20 [DP-TRAN].
Transportation: 2/03/20, 2/10/20 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS |
Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Transportation.
Signed by Senators Frockt, Vice Chair, Operating, Capital Lead; Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet; Braun, Ranking Member; Brown, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Becker, Billig, Carlyle, Conway, Darneille, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Hunt, Keiser, Liias, Muzzall, Pedersen, Rivers, Schoesler, Van De Wege, Wagoner, Warnick and Wilson, L..
Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7460)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Hobbs, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Lovelett, Nguyen, O'Ban, Padden, Randall, Takko, Wilson, C. and Zeiger.
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
Background: The Washington State Patrol Retirement System (WSPRS) was created in 1947 and covers all commissioned officers of the Washington State Patrol (WSP). In 2001, Engrossed Senate Bill 5143 was enacted, closing WSPRS Plan 1 as of December 31, 2002, and creating a Plan 2, covering fully commissioned officers entering the system on or after January 1, 2003.
In addition to creating Plan 2, ESB 5143 modified the definition of salary for calculating pension benefits for all WSPRS members. Under the new definition, the salary for members enrolled in WSPRS on or after July 1, 2001, excluded the lump sum payments for holiday pay, unused sick, vacation and annual leave, or any form of severance. The salary for WSPRS members enrolled prior to July 1, 2001, still included the lump sum payments in calculating pension benefits.
Summary of Bill: The definition of salary for calculating pension benefits for WSPRS Plan 1 members that entered the system on or after July 1, 2001, is changed to allow for including lump sum payments for holiday pay and unused vacation and annual leave.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: Jason wanted to be here today to share the testimony he gave to the Select Committee on Pension Policy but had to be at work. This is an equity issue related to the end of the plan 1. This impacts 64 members and costs $2.8 million over 25 years.
Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol Lieutenants and Captains Association; Davor Gjurasic, Washington State Patrol Troopers Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Ways & Means): No one.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Transportation): PRO: This is a simple and straightforward bill. The State Patrol members that were going through the academy as WSPRS 2 was being created did not get the same benefits. This is really an equity issue and allows the 64 members get comparable benefits as their other WSPRS Plan 1 peers. This impacts 64 members and costs $2.8 million over 25 years.
Persons Testifying (Transportation): PRO: Davor Gjurasic, Washington State Patrol Troopers Association; Jeff DeVere, Washington State Patrol Lieutenants and Captains Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying (Transportation): No one.