WSR 26-09-107

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

RETIREMENT SYSTEMS

[Filed April 20, 2026, 4:46 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Port worker membership in the public employees' retirement system.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 41.50.050 and chapter 133, Laws of 2026.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Implementing chapter 133, Laws of 2026, which exempts port workers from membership in the public employees' retirement system under certain situations.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bianca Stoner, Department of Retirement Systems, P.O. Box 48380, Olympia, WA 98504-8380, phone 360-664-7291, TTY 711, email drs.rules@drs.wa.gov, website www.drs.wa.gov/rules.

April 20, 2026

Bianca Stoner

Rules Coordinator