SENATE BILL REPORT
HB 1936
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Ways & Means, April 8, 2025
Title: An act relating to extending the expiration of certain school employee postretirement employment restrictions.
Brief Description: Extending the expiration of certain school employee postretirement employment restrictions.
Sponsors: Representatives Chase, Leavitt and Pollet.
Brief History: Passed House: 3/5/25, 97-0.
Committee Activity: Ways & Means: 4/05/25, 4/08/25 [DPA, DNP, w/oRec].
Brief Summary of Amended Bill
  • Allows specified retirees of the state's retirement system to work up to 1040 hours in certain positions until January 1, 2030. 
SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
Majority Report: Do pass as amended.
Signed by Senators Robinson, Chair; Stanford, Vice Chair, Operating; Trudeau, Vice Chair, Capital; Frame, Vice Chair, Finance; Dozier, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital; Cleveland, Conway, Dhingra, Hansen, Hasegawa, Kauffman, Pedersen, Riccelli, Saldaña, Wagoner, Warnick, Wellman and Wilson, C..
Minority Report: Do not pass.
Signed by Senator Schoesler, Ranking Member, Capital.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senators Gildon, Ranking Member, Operating; Torres, Assistant Ranking Member, Operating; Boehnke, Braun and Muzzall.
Staff: Amanda Cecil (786-7460)
Background:

The Teacher's Retirement System (TRS), Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS), and the School Employees' Retirement System (SERS) Plans 2 and 3 have a normal retirement age of 65 and allow for a reduced early retirement benefit beginning at age 55. 

 

TRS, PERS, and SERS retirees are able to work up to 867 hours per year in a position covered by any of the state's pension systems while receiving a retirement benefit. A retiree that works more than 867 hours is reinstated as an active member and their retirement benefit ceases. 

 

Until July 1, 2025, the following retirees may work 1040 hours in retirement while collecting a pension benefit: 

  • TRS, PERS, and SERS retirees working for a school district in a nonadministrative position;
  • TRS retirees that retired prior to January 1, 2022, working for a school district with less than 2000 students as a district superintendent or an in-school administrator; and
  • PERS and Public Safety Employees' Retirement System retirees working for a state agency in a nonadministrative position as a licensed nurse.
Summary of Amended Bill:

Provisions allowing TRS and SERS retirees to work up to 1040 hours while collecting a pension benefit, are extended to January 1, 2030. 
EFFECT OF WAYS & MEANS COMMITTEE AMENDMENT(S):
  • Modifies the date that the specified retirees can continue to work 1040 hours while receiving a pension from July 1, 2027, to January 1, 2030.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony on House Bill:

The committee recommended a different version of the bill than what was heard. PRO: This bill seeks to address staffing shortages in school districts, particularly in rural and small districts, by extending the sunset date for retirees to return to work in a variety of positions. This extension is critical for ensuring that schools have access to experienced educators, administrators, and support staff. This is a practical solution to fill hard-to-staff positions, especially in rural areas.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Devin Gombosky, ESD 105 Schools Coalition; Jim Kowalkowski, Rural Education Center; Marie Sullivan, Eastern Washington Schools Quality Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.