HB 2202 — Addressing the eligibility of emergency medical technicians for membership in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2.

H-2704.1SUBSTITUTEH-2678.2HOUSE HOUSE BILL 2202State of Washington65th Legislature2017 Regular SessionBy House Appropriations (originally sponsored by Representatives Manweller and Ormsby)READOrmsbyRead FIRSTfirst TIMEtime 04/17/17.AN04/12/17. ACT Relating to the eligibility of emergency medical technicians for membership in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2;

Referred to Committee on Appropriations.AN ACT Relating to the eligibility of emergency medical technicians for membership in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2;

and adding a new sectionssection to chapter 41.26 RCW.BERCW; IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:Sec. 1.  RCW 41.26.030 and 2012 c 236 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:(1) "Accumulated contributions" means the employee's contributions made by a member, including any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165(2), plus accrued interest credited thereon.(2) "Actuarial reserve" means a method of financing a pension or retirement plan wherein reserves are accumulated as the liabilities for benefit payments are incurred in order that sufficient funds will be available on the date of retirement of each member to pay the member's future benefits during the period of retirement.(3) "Actuarial valuation" means a mathematical determination of the financial condition of a retirement plan.

and creating a new section.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:Sec. 1.  RCW 41.26.030 and 2012 c 236 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:As used in this chapter, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:(1) "Accumulated contributions" means the employee's contributions made by a member, including any amount paid under RCW 41.50.165(2), plus accrued interest credited thereon.(2) "Actuarial reserve" means a method of financing a pension or retirement plan wherein reserves are accumulated as the liabilities for benefit payments are incurred in order that sufficient funds will be available on the date of retirement of each member to pay the member's future benefits during the period of retirement.(3) "Actuarial valuation" means a mathematical determination of the financial condition of a retirement plan.

"Surviving spouse" shall not include the divorced spouse of a member except as provided in RCW 41.26.162.NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 41.26 RCW under subchapter heading "plan 2" to read as follows:(1) A member who provided service as an emergency medical technicianservices to an employer may establish credit for such service rendered on or after July 24, 2005, and prior to the effective date of this section, unless that service is already credited.

The department of retirement systems must notify former employees of the process and cost to establish credit for service under this section.NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3.  ASECTION.  Sec. 3.  If new section is added to chapter 41.26 RCW under subchapter heading "plan 2" to read as follows:If a member who elected to transfer pursuant to section 2 of this act dies or retires for disability prior to five years from their election date, the member's benefit is calculated as follows:(1) All of the applicable service credit, accumulated contributions, and interest is transferred to or established in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 2 and used in the calculation of a benefit.(2) If a member's obligation under section 2 of this act has not been paid in full at the time of death or disability retirement, the member, or in the case of death the surviving spouse or eligible minor children, have the following options:(a) Pay the bill in full;(b) If a continuing monthly benefit is chosen, have the benefit actuarially reduced to reflect the amount of the unpaid obligation under section 2 of this act;