The 2020 Legislative Session is scheduled to run Monday, January 13 through Thursday, March 12. Information regarding Legislation having an impact on LEOFF Plan 2 is posted as it becomes available. For general legislative information and bills not listed on this site, visit the Washington State Legislature. For additional information, call us at (360) 586-2320.
LEOFF 2 Board Bills
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Month of Death Payments (HB 1414 | SB 5335)
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In the month a retiree passes away, the benefit payment is prorated based on the number of days the person was alive in the month. If the retiree had already received their pension, the Department of Retirement Systems must collect the partial overpayment from the retiree’s beneficiary or estate. This bill provides a retiree’s beneficiary or estate a full month’s benefit for the month a retiree or survivor passes away.
Status: Did not pass.
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Survivor Option Reelection (HB 2678 | SB 6417)
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LEOFF 2 members must make an irrevocable decision to leave a survivor benefit prior to knowing exactly what their pension benefit will be. This bill allows all LEOFF 2 retirees to have a 90 day window after the receipt of their first retirement payment to change their survivor election.
Status HB 2678: Did not pass.
Status SB 6417: Signed by the Governor. Chapter 161, 2020 Laws. (View Session Law), Effective date 6/11/2020.
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Definition of Period of War (HB 2655 | SB 6418)
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The state law defining “veteran” for purposes of awarding no-cost interruptive military service credit, and other LEOFF 2 benefits, must be updated each time there is a new armed conflict that qualifies for a Campaign Badge. This bill prevents the continual need for updates to the statute, by moving definition of “veteran” under the LEOFF 2 statutes and rewriting it to so all armed conflicts where Campaign Badges are awarded qualify for no-cost interruptive military service credit, and other LEOFF 2 benefits.
Status: Did not pass.
Bills Impacting LEOFF 2
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Concerning the Definition of Veteran (SHB 2544)
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The state law defining "veteran" for purposes of awarding no-cost interruptive military service credit, and other LEOFF 2 benefits, must be updated each time there is a new armed conflict that qualifies for a Campaign Badge. This bill prevents the continual need for updates to the statute, by changing the definition of "veteran" so that all armed conflicts where Campaign Badges are awarded qualify for no-cost interruptive military service credit.
It also requires the Select Committee on Pension Policy and the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Plan 2 Retirement Board, with the assistance of the Office of the State Actuary, Department of Retirement Systems, Washington State Military Department, and the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs, to study the provision of military service credit to members of the retirement systems, in particular the cost of expanding free military service credit to members who received an expeditionary medal, but not a campaign medal. The report is due to the Legislature on January 2, 2021.
Status SHB 2544: Signed by the Governor. Chapter 178, 2020 Laws. (View Session Law). Effective date 6/11/2020.
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Confidentiality of DRS Records (HB 2716 | SSB 6499)
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Exempts from disclosure under the Public Records Act medical information in files and records of members of retirement plans administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. Provides exceptions for authorized representatives of an applicant, health care providers regarding applicants for disability benefits, and persons assisting the Department of Retirement Systems. Medical information in files and records maintained by the LEOFF Plan 2 retirement board is confidential and exempt from the PRA's disclosure requirements.
Status HB 2716: Did not pass.
Status SSB 6499: Signed by the Governor. Chapter 323, 2020 Laws. Effective date 6/11/2020.