IMPORTANT BILL TO WATCH: SB 5983

This bill would improve the local Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters Retirement System Benefits Account by transferring $300 million from the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Fund. This would still leave the LEOFF Plan 2 Retirement Fund at 106% over funded.

“An act relating to the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ plan 2 pension system; amending RCW 41.26.802 and 41.26.805; creating a new section; repealing RCW 41.26.800; and declaring an emergency.

“Therefore, the legislature declares that it is the purpose of this act to hasten the affordability of law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ plan 2 benefit improvements, consistent with the intent associated with the creation of the benefits improvement fund, and designate reserves of the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ plan 2 for the sole purpose of benefit improvements.

“On July 1, 2019, the state treasurer shall transfer the sum of three hundred million dollars from the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ plan 2 retirement fun to the local law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ retirement system benefits improvement account.”

Click here to read SB 5983.

Click here to read about the LEOFF 2 Benefit Improvement Account.

Click here to read about a LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Merger.

Bill Dickinson testifies on HB 2051

HB 2051 allows any active or retired firefighter or law enforcement officer who resides within the jurisdiction served by the board to be elected to a pre-LEOFF and LEOFF Plan 1 disability board, if no eligible active or retired firefighter or law enforcement officer is willing or able.

Click here to watch the testimony on TVW.org.

Click here to read the complete document.

Joyce Willms Testifies on SB 5920

SB 5920 expands eligibility of who can serve on firefighter and law enforcement officer pension and disability boards to include active or retired firefighters or law enforcement officers residing in the district yet not subject to the jurisdiction of the board, when no eligible firefighter and law enforcement officer is willing or able to be elected.

Click here to watch the testimony on TVW.org.

Click here to read the complete document.

Joyce Willms testifies on SB 5894 – 2/18/19

SB 5894 allows the firefighter’s pension levy to continue to be levied specifically for funding medical benefits under the law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ retirement system.

Click here to watch the testimony on TVW.org.

Click here to read the complete document.

Vote NO on I-940

This initiative is on the ballot and is opposed by the LEOFF I Coalition, Washington State Patrol Troopers Association, Washington State Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, and the Washington State Council of Police and Sheriffs.

We have received several phone calls from the LEOFF I Coalition members requesting we vote no on I-1639.
Click here for more information on this initiative.

Public Records Act

Legislators that Voted for Senate Bill 6617

Bill History
2018 REGULAR SESSION
Feb 22
Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar. (View Original Bill)

Feb 23
Floor amendment(s) adopted.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 41; nays, 7; absent, 1; excused, 0. (View 1st Engrossed) (View Roll Calls)

IN THE HOUSE
Feb 23
Read first time, rules suspended, and placed on second reading calendar.
Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading.
Third reading, passed; yeas, 83; nays, 14; absent, 0; excused, 1. (View Roll Calls)

Roll Call
ESB 6617
Legislative records
3rd Reading & Final Passage
2/23/2018

Yeas: 41 Nays: 7 Absent: 1 Excused: 0
Voting Yea: Senators Angel, Bailey, Becker, Billig, Braun, Brown, Chase, Cleveland, Conway, Darneille, Dhingra, Ericksen, Fortunato, Frockt, Hasegawa, Hawkins, Hobbs, Honeyford, Hunt, Keiser, King, Kuderer, Liias, McCoy, Mullet, Nelson, Padden, Palumbo, Pedersen, Rivers, Rolfes, Saldaña, Schoesler, Sheldon, Short, Takko, Van De Wege, Warnick, Wellman, Wilson, Zeiger

Voting Nay: Senators Baumgartner, Carlyle, Fain, Miloscia, O`Ban, Ranker, Wagoner

Absent: Senator Walsh

Yeas: 83 Nays: 14 Absent: 0 Excused: 1
Voting Yea: Representatives Appleton, Barkis, Bergquist, Blake, Buys, Chandler, Chapman, Clibborn, Cody, Condotta, DeBolt, Dent, Doglio, Dolan, Dye, Eslick, Fitzgibbon, Frame, Goodman, Gregerson, Griffey, Haler, Hansen, Hargrove, Harris, Hayes, Holy, Hudgins, Irwin, Jenkin, Jinkins, Johnson, Kagi, Kirby, Klippert, Kloba, Kretz, Kristiansen, Lovick, Lytton, MacEwen, Macri, Manweller, Maycumber, McBride, McCabe, McCaslin, McDonald, Morris, Nealey, Orcutt, Ormsby, Ortiz-Self, Peterson, Pettigrew, Pike, Pollet, Riccelli, Robinson, Rodne, Ryu, Santos, Schmick, Sells, Senn, Shea, Slatter, Springer, Stanford, Steele, Stokesbary, Stonier, Sullivan, Tarleton, Taylor, Tharinger, Valdez, Van Werven, Vick, Volz, Wilcox, Wylie, Chopp

Voting Nay: Representatives Caldier, Fey, Graves, Harmsworth, Kilduff, Kraft, Muri, Orwall, Pellicciotti, Reeves, Sawyer, Stambaugh, Walsh, Young

Absent:

Excused: Representative Smith

LEOFF1 COALITION OPPOSES SB 5453

This session is a roller coaster, and the first twist is happening now.
To look up SB 5453 bill, click here.

If you have any questions, please call Joyce Willms at 360-790-9129.

Below is a list of the members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Let your voice be heard! Call and/or email them and tell them you DO NOT want a merger of LEOFF1 and TRS1!

How to Contact Your Legislators

Click here to read the full pdf about contacting your Legislators.

URGENT: ACT TODAY!

HB 1888 – An act relating to protecting employee information from public disclosure

• Retired law enforcement officers and firefighters are not Government employees anymore.
• The State of Washington cannot fire them.
• The State of Washington cannot assign work to them.
• HB 1888 does not protect retired law enforcement officers’ and firefighters’ personal information.

Please amend HB 1888 to add retired law enforcement officers and firefighters to the public disclosure exemption list.

Click here for all the details.

Senate Ways & Means Committee Members:

• Cristine Rolfes, Chair –
  christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7644

• David Frockt, Vice Chair/Operating/Capital Lead –
  david.frockt@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7690

• Mark Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet –
  mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7608

• John Braun, Ranking Member –
  john.braun@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7638

• Sharon Brown, Assistant Ranking Member/Operating –
  sharon.brown@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7614

• Jim Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital –
  jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7684

• Mark Schoesler, Minority Leader –
  mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7620

• Randi Becker –
  randi.becker@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7602

• Andy Billig –
  andy.billig@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7604

• Reuven Carlyle –
  reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7670

• Steve Conway –
  steve.conway@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7656

• Jeannie Darneille –
  jeannie.darneille@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7652

• Manka Dhingra –
  manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7672

• Bob Hasegawa –
  bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7616

• Sam Hunt –
  sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7642

• Karen Keiser –
  karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7664

• Marko Liias –
  marko.liias@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7640

• Ron Muzzall –
  ron.muzzall@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7618

• Jamie Pedersen –
  jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7628

• Ann Rivers –
  ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7634

• Mark Schoesler –
  mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7634

• Kevin Van De Wege –
  kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7646

• Keith Wagoner –
  keith.wagoner@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7676

• Judy Warnick –
  judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7624

• Lynda Wilson –
  lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7632

URGENT!
Let Your Voice Be Heard

Help stop HB 2051 on Friday, February 28, 2020.

No retired out of state firefighter should be eligible to sit on local disability boards.
No retired out of state law enforcement officer should be eligible to sit on local disability boards.

LEOFF 1 Coalition President Bill Dickinson echoed loud and clear to the Senate Ways & Means Committee that no out of state firefighters or law enforcement officers should serve on local disability boards.

The following organizations support out of state law enforcement officers and firefighters serving on your local disability boards: Richard Warbrouck (Retired Fire Fighters of Washington), Ken Crowder (Washington State Retired Police Officers Association), and Curtis Vandver (Washington LEOFF Education Association).

The Coalition supports Senator Schoesler’s amendment on SB 5920 Number 916 Floor Page 3 Line 28 clarified that no out of state firefighter or law enforcement officer can serve on local LEOFF 1 disability boards.

Please request that Legislators amend HB 2051 to expand eligibility to a retired or active LEOFF 1 member’s spouse or beneficiary residing in the district, yet not subject to the jurisdiction of the board, to serve on pension and disability boards when no eligible LEOFF 1 firefighter or law enforcement officer is willing or able to be elected.

Call or email your Legislators to tell them that NO out of state law enforcement officers and firefighters should not be eligible to serve on local LEOFF 1 disability boards.

Come to Olympia and testify during the Senate Ways & Means meeting on Friday, February 28, 2020, at 3:30pm. Tell them not to pass HB 2051 without Senator Schoesler’s amendment from SB 5920 to clarify that only Washington State LEOFF 1 members can sit on local disability boards.

For more information or if you plan to come testify, call the LEOFF 1 Coalition Office at 360-570-1035 and talk to Executive Director Joyce Willms. You can also send an email to joyce@leoff1coalition.org.

Senate Ways & Means Committee Members:

• Cristine Rolfes, Chair –
  christine.rolfes@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7644

• David Frockt, Vice Chair/Operating/Capital Lead –
  david.frockt@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7690

• Mark Mullet, Capital Budget Cabinet –
  mark.mullet@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7608

• John Braun, Ranking Member –
  john.braun@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7638

• Sharon Brown, Assistant Ranking Member/Operating –
  sharon.brown@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7614

• Jim Honeyford, Assistant Ranking Member, Capital –
  jim.honeyford@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7684

• Mark Schoesler, Minority Leader –
  mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7620

• Randi Becker –
  randi.becker@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7602

• Andy Billig –
  andy.billig@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7604

• Reuven Carlyle –
  reuven.carlyle@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7670

• Steve Conway –
  steve.conway@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7656

• Jeannie Darneille –
  jeannie.darneille@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7652

• Manka Dhingra –
  manka.dhingra@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7672

• Bob Hasegawa –
  bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7616

• Sam Hunt –
  sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7642

• Karen Keiser –
  karen.keiser@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7664

• Marko Liias –
  marko.liias@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7640

• Ron Muzzall –
  ron.muzzall@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7618

• Jamie Pedersen –
  jamie.pedersen@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7628

• Ann Rivers –
  ann.rivers@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7634

• Mark Schoesler –
  mark.schoesler@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7634

• Kevin Van De Wege –
  kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7646

• Keith Wagoner –
  keith.wagoner@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7676

• Judy Warnick –
  judy.warnick@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7624

• Lynda Wilson –
  lynda.wilson@leg.wa.gov or (360) 786-7632

Senate Bill Report
HB 2051

As of February 3, 2020

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Brief Description: Concerning firefighters and law enforcement officers pension and disability boards.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
This amendment would allow residents that retired from a firefighter or law enforcement position in another state should be able to represent retirees on the board.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Ken Crowder, Washington State Retired Police Officers Association; Curtis Vandver, Washington LEOFF Education Association; Dick Warbrouck, citizen; Dan Bronoske, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.

OTHER: William Dickinson, LEOFF 1 Coalition

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.

Click here to read the entire Senate Bill Report for HB 2051.

LEGISLATIVE ALERT

Help protect your personal information!

HB 1888: Protecting employee information from public disclosure.
The Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Relations, and Elections is holding a public hearing in Senate Hearing Room 2
Date: Friday, February 21, 2020; Time: 1:30pm

The LEOFF 1 Coalition and the Washington State Retired Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers Association (WSRDSPOA) support HB 1888.

Click here to read the full Leg alert about HB 1888.

We are asking LEOFF 1 members, spouses, and beneficiaries to make your voice heard! Email your Legislators before Friday, February 21 at 1:30pm.
Request an amendment to HB 1888 to add LEOFF Plan 1 members to the exemption list for public disclosures. In your emails, please explain how dangerous your job was and that you want your personal information protected.

Sam Hunt, Chair – sam.hunt@leg.wa.gov

Patty Kuderer, Vice Chair – patty.kurderer@leg.wa.gov

Hans Zeiger, Ranking Member – hans.zeiger@leg.wa.gov

Ron Muzzall, Asst. Ranking Member – ron.muzzall@leg.wa.gov

Bob Hasegawa – bob.hasegawa@leg.wa.gov

Brad Hawkins – brad.hawkins@leg.wa.gov

Dean Takko – dean.takko@leg.wa.gov

2001 Merger of LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2

2001 – the LEOFF 1 groups worked together to stop the LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 merger.

“This legislative action is simply against the law,” said Steve Berman, attorney for the plaintiffs. “Washington state law states very clearly that all monies contained in the LEOFF 1 plan – including the surplus – are held in trust for the benefit of the plan participants, and the participants alone.”

Click here to read what happened.

The LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Merger Will NOT Move Forward

Thank you LEOFF 1 Coalition members! We were able to stop the proposed LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 merger because of all your emails and phone calls to Senator Van De Wege (District 24), an active firefighter and LEOFF 2 member.

A special thanks to the LEOFF 1 Coalition members from Senator Van De Wege’s Legislative District – Clallam, Gray’s Harbor, and Jefferson Counties.

Merger LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2
Stakeholders Meeting – 3/22/19

Senator Van De Wege says he only wants the LEOFF 1 funds.

The next Stakeholders’ Meeting will be Friday, March 29th, at 2:00pm.

You can also copy and paste this link (https://youtu.be/yQfgN_Ea8Eo) into an email to share with others.

Please call or email Senator Senator Van De Wege regarding this merger!
Phone: 360-786-7646
Email: kevin.vandewege@leg.wa.gov

Please CC Joyce (joyce@leoff1coalition.org), LEOFF 1 Coalition Lobbyist, on all emails sent to Senator Van De Wege.

Letters regarding this merger should be addressed to:
PMB 127 STE 108
855 Trosper Rd SW
Tumwater, WA 98512

If you have any questions, feel free to call the LEOFF 1 Coalition office at 360-570-1035 or email Joyce at joyce@leoff1coalition.org

LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Merger Stakeholder Meeting

The second stakeholder meeting on the merger of LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 will be Friday, March 22, 2019.

Click here to read more.

Raid in LEOFF 1 Pension AGAIN
LEOFF Merger Meeting

The LEOFF 1 Coalition President, Bill Dickinson, Lobbyist, Joyce Willms, and the Washington State Retired Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers Association, represented by Past President Andy Wilson, attended the LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 merger meeting at the Capitol on Thursday, March 14, along with other LEOFF 1 groups.

The question you’re probably asking yourself is, “Why does the state want to merge LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2?” The answer is simple: They want our money so that the state will no longer have to pay into LEOFF 2 until 2021 and can use the remaining money to balance the state budget. It is urgent that we protect the LEOFF Plan 1 name. Without the LEOFF Plan 1 name, your medical benefits will be in jeopardy.

The bill to merge LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 is sponsored by Senator Kevin Van De Wege, Democrat from Legislative District 24 (including Clallam, Grays Harbor, and Jefferson counties) and an active LEOFF 2 Firefighter.

The plan for 2019-2021 and 2021-2023 means that the local employer pays a 30% contribution rate and the employee pays a 50% rate during these years. Then, beginning in 2023-2025, state contributions would restart, but phase out by 2030, shifting to a 55% rate for employees and a 45% rate for employers. The first incentive offer was to give every LEOFF 1 member and beneficiary $15,000 when merging LEOFF 1 to LEOFF 2. At his meeting on March 14th, that number had changed to $20,000 for every LEOFF 1 member and benficiary.

In our opinion, part of this $20,000 payment offer is, basically, a bribe so the Legislators can take your Retirement Trust Fund. The next big question is, if there is no LEOFF Plan 1 name, then your medical benefits may be gone.

As you can see in the LEOFF Merger Draft (linked below), the concern over LEOFF 1 Medical Benefits is not clearly answered. Another point in the draft is the transfer of $300 million from LEOFF 2 into a Benefit Improvement Account, making LEOFF 2 about 106% funded after the transfer. The Legislature would then use LEOFF 1 money to replace the $300 million taken from LEOFF 2. During the meeting, Joyce asked for clarification on what the Benefit Improvement Account would do, but no clear answer was ever given.

The impression we received from the meeting today was that, despite any argument we put forward, Senator Van De Wege plans to move forward with his merger plan. As soon as Van De Wege introduces a bill merging LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2, the LEOFF 1 Coalition will be fund raising to pay for attorney fees and lawsuit. In a lawsuit in 2001, Steve Berman, representing LEOFF 1 interests, stated, “This legislative action is simply against the law. Washington State law states very clearly that all monies contained in the LEOFF 1 plan – including the surplus – are held in trust for the benefit of the plan participants, and the participants alone.”

Van De Wege has already set up the next merger meeting. It will be held on March 22, but with no stated agenda at this time.

Click here to read the merger draft from Van De Wege’s meeting on March 14th.

Click here to read the news release on the 2001 LEOFF 1/LEOFF 2 merger lawsuit.

Click here to read the Seattle Times article on the 2001 lawsuit.

LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Merger

Senator Kevin Van De Wege is having a stakeholders meeting regarding a merger of LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 on March 14. The LEOFF 1 Coalition President, Bill Dickinson, will be at that meeting.

As we all know, the top priority of the LEOFF 1 Coalition is to protect the “LEOFF Plan 1 Retirement System” name. As long as there is no change in the name, our LEOFF 1 Medical Benefits and Trust Fund should be protected. If there is a merger, it could pose a serious threat to your LEOFF 1 Medical Benefits and Trust Fund.

With the LEOFF 1 Trust Fund funded at 131%, the Legislature will take the money and I don’t see a way to stop it, except to sue them.

Click here to read SB 5983.

Click here to read about a LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 Merger.

Legislators Return to Olympia

For a 4th Special Session

Lawmakers might return to Olympia in November to fix the Hirst Decision and to pass the Capital Budget.

Washington State Legislative Session:

2018 Regular 60 day session starts Monday, January 8 to Thursday, March 8, 2018

The clock is ticking!

We’re running out of time! Government faces partial shutdown! Legislators started a 3rd special session Wednesday. There is no agreement on a 2017-2019 operating budget. The 3rd special session started Wednesday, June 21, with 9 days left in the current fiscal year to reach a budget deal and have Governor Inslee sign the bill into law by midnight, June 30. If the budget isn’t signed by July 1, the government faces a partial shutdown.
Seattle Times
The Olympian

June 2020 Financial Report Breakdown

Click here for a larger image.

2019 Annual Financial Report Breakdown

Click here for a larger image.

BEWARE!

Conflict of Interest:

These organizations represent LEOFF 1 AND LEOFF 2:

• Retired Firefighters of Washington (RFFOW)
• Retired Seattle Police Officers’ Association (RSPOA)
• Council of Firefighters Retiree Association
• leoff1.net (Jerry Taylor)
• all-leoff.com (Seattle based)

This is obviously a conflict of interest. Who will they protect when mergers and/or consolidations are attempted? Will they protect LEOFF 1 members or LEOFF 2 members?

The LEOFF 1 Coalition has no conflict of interest since we ONLY represent LEOFF 1 members and their beneficiaries. The Coalition lobbies to protect your pension and healthcare benefits.

If you have questions about any LEOFF 1 organizations, call Joyce Willms at 877-553-6631.

To join the LEOFF 1 Coalition, print out the LEOFF 1 Coalition membership form above, fill it out, and mail it to the LEOFF 1 Coalition office.

Click here for the PAYROLL DEDUCTION MEMBERSHIP form – PDF VERSION

Click here for the MEMBERSHIP & CONTRIBUTION form. PDF VERSION

LEOFF 1 Coalition office:
407 West Bay Drive NW
Olympia, WA 98502

HB 2051 Testimonies

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The LEOFF 1 Coalition and WSRDSPOA lobbied to amend HB 2051 to clarify that no out of state, non-LEOFF retired law enforcement officers and firefighters may serve on local LEOFF 1 Disability Boards. The amendment also expands the eligibility to serve on the disability boards to surviving spouses of LEOFF 1 members.

Brief Description: Concerning firefighters and law enforcement officers pension and disability boards.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS
This amendment would stop retired firefighters or law enforcement officers from another state, non-LEOFF from serving on local LEOFF 1 Disability Boards.

Persons Testifying to allow out of state, non-LEOFF law enforcement officers and firefighters to serve on local LEOFF 1 Disbaility Boards: PRO: Ken Crowder, Washington State Retired Police Officers Association; Curtis Vandver, Washington LEOFF Education Association; Dick Warbrouck, citizen; Dan Bronoske, Washington State Council of Fire Fighters.

OTHER: William Dickinson, LEOFF 1 Coalition

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.

Click here to read the entire Senate Bill Report for HB 2051.

The LEOFF 1 Coalition lobbied to exclude out of state (non-LEOFF) Retired Firefighters or Law Enforcement Officers from serving on Disability Boards

Summary of HB 2051 as passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor

Under HB 2051, eligibility of who can serve on a firefighters’ or law enforcement officers’ pension or disability board is expanded to include:

• Active or retired firefighters or law enforcement officers that retired from one of Washington’s systems but not under the jurisdiction of that board residing in the district; and
• The surviving spouse of a firefighter or law enforcement officer that was covered by the board.

In regard to the first bullet I interpret this to mean firefighters and law enforcement officers from a Washington system for the following reason 1. Each section that is amended includes a list of the systems that are included. For example, sec. 2 (2) of the bill amending the municipal firefighters’ pension board says, “(2) If no eligible regularly employed or retired firefighters are 27 willing or able to be elected to the board under subsection (1) of 28 this section, then the following individuals may be elected to the 29 board under subsection (1) of this section: 30 (a) Any active or retired firefighters who reside within the 31 jurisdiction served by the board. This includes active and retired 32 firefighters under this chapter and chapters 41.18, 41.26, and 52.26 33 RCW; 34 (b) The widow or widower of a firefighter subject to the 35 jurisdiction of the board.”

These RCWs are references to the other Washington state systems. Perhaps someone would argue however that this list is illustrative and not inclusive, so I looked at the definitions in each chapter.

2. If you look at the definition of firefighter and law enforcement officer in each of the relevant chapters there is a reference to a Washington state system or to being employed in a Washington state jurisdiction. So someone that retired in Portland would not meet the definition of firefighter or law enforcement officers.

The potential ambiguity in the drafting only applies to the sections related to the pre-LEOFF boards. The LEOFF1 boards language in sec. 7 always included the clearer structure.

If there is an effort to appoint someone from another state to one of these boards the jurisdiction will have the opportunity to challenge this.

Regulations of Executive Branch Agencies

Washington Administrative Code (WAC):
Regulations of executive branch agencies are issued by authority of statutes. Like legislation and the Constitution, regulations are a source of primary law in Washington State. The WAC codifies the regulations and arranges them by subject or agency.

Attention all LEOFF 1 Members!

All LEOFF 1 members and beneficiaries: DO NOT fill out the LEOFF 1 survey from Richard Warbrouck (Retired Fire Fighters of Washington)! Their organization represents both retired LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 members, which is a conflict of interest. Numerous retired Seattle firefighters chose to be members of the LEOFF 1 Coalition instead of the RFFOW.

Jerry Taylor represents the Retired Seattle Police Officers. His organization represents both LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 members, as well. Again, this is a conflict of interest. Many retired Seattle police officers chose to become members of the LEOFF 1 Coalition.

Recently, these organizations lobbied to allow out of state, non-LEOFF retired law enforcement officers and firefighters serve on local LEOFF 1 disability boards. You don’t want out of state, non-LEOFF law enforcement officers and firefighters serving on your local disability board, deciding to pay (or not pay) for your healthcare.

Again, please do not fill out the survey from Richard Warbrouck. If you have any questions or concerns, call Joyce Willms, Executive Director, at the LEOFF 1 Coalition office: 360-570-1035.

Watch out for frauds and scammers

Scammers are nothing new, and stories about new scams come to light more and more often. How do you spot these scams? Report them? Avoid them? Whether it’s email, social media, phone calls, or physical mail, do you know how to handle these scammers?

Having a resource for information like this is helpful. KOMO news has you covered with their Fraud Watch Network. This resource contains videos about how to spot scams, how to report them (if possible), and how to avoid them whenever possible.

Click here for more information.

Suggestive talking points when meeting with your local legislative candidates

Click here to download form.

Safety Alert!

Check your fire extinguishers! Extinguisher maker Kidde has recalled millions of models of their push button and pull handle fire extinguishers, dating back to the 1970s. Reportedly, the reason is that they have been found to not work properly. Click here to visit the Kidde website and find out what to look for in your fire extinguisher.

The Democrats Control the Legislature

The big question is, now that we have new leadership, what will it mean for LEOFF 1?

2017 election results put the Democrats in control of both the Senate and House. There are 49 Senators, with 25 Democrats and 23 Republicans. The House of Representatives has 98 members with 50 Democrats and 48 Republicans.

Assembly Day

Senate Legislative Assembly Days are scheduled for November 13 – November 15 House Legislative Assembly Days are scheduled for November 15 – November 17

Joe Fischnaller passed away and will be missed

The Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Coalition mourns the loss of a long-time friend and determined Leoff1 advocate. …read more

Tacoma Police Office Gutierrez Killed To Save His Partner and The Shooter’s Wife

Our thoughts and prayers go out the the family of Tacoma Police Officer Reginald “Jake” Gutierrez. Police Officer Gutierrez was killed after responding to a domestic violence call on Wednesday November 30, 2016.
Click here for details.
A letter from Dave Peery – Click here.

LEOFF1/TRS Survey

The office of the State Actuary is collecting comments on the LEOFF1/TRS/Merger study. For the survey click here. For more information on the update click here. Please express your concerns. For questions call the LEOFF1 office ask for Joyce (360) 570-1035 or 1-877-553-6631.

Don’t Be Fooled!

The Washington State Council of Firefighters (WSCFF) still want your LEOFF 1 pension funds. The Council of Firefighters have been working to start a LEOFF 1 Retiree Association. But why?
The Council of Firefighters will be able to lobby representing BOTH LEOFF 1 retirees and LEOFF 2 retirees and will push for Legislators to consolidate LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2.

Click here to read the WSCFF Resolution 19-02.

Click here to read the 2019 WSCFF Convention Resolution.

Coronavirus Information

Your health is important. COVID-19 (the current spreading Coronavirus) is spreading throughout the US.

Click here for more information about COVID-19.

URGENT
LEOFF 1 Coalition and WSRDSPOA Members

Don’t be fooled on the survey you have received.

Do NOT fill out the survey.

Don’t respond with your personal information.

We don’t need another statewide organization representing LEOFF 1 members — Retired Firefighters of Washington (RFFW), Richard Warbrouck, and the Retired Seattle Police Officers Association, Jerry Taylor — that represent both LEOFF 1 and LEOFF 2 members. Representing both retirement plans is a conflict of interest because priorities can be quite different! Both groups most centrally represent Seattle.

Conversely, the LEOFF 1 Coalition exclusively represents only retired LEOFF 1 members, spouses and beneficiaries statewide, and is a dues-paying, statewide organization. LEOFF 1 Coalition members are from all around the state, including Seattle.

If you have any questions or concerns, call Joyce Willms, Executive Director for the LEOFF 1 Coalition office, (360) 570-1035.

Annual forms to sign and return to King County re: LEOFF I Medical Benefits

For those of you covered under the KING COUNTY DISABILITY BOARD, check the forms you recently received.

According to Gerry Drake (WSRDSPOA), on the first of the three stapled pages he received, the phone number listed was one he had never even had (a Tucson area code) and the introductory paragraph on the second page had a fellow retiree’s name filled in.

Be sure you check the pages for accuracy before sending them back to King County.

New Gun Laws Now in Effect

Earlier this year, new age restrictions requiring you to be 21 years old to purchase an assault rifle went into effect under initiative 1639. Originally the age requirement was 18. Since July 1, 2019, the rest of the law has taken effect.

Click here to read more.

Use Increased State Revenue to Reduce Unfunded Pension Liabilities

Click here to read the article.

Behind Seattle’s rising pension costs: Past mismanagement adds to taxpayers’ burden

The Seattle City Employees’ Retirement System had one of the worst investment returns of any large public pension over a decade, triggering higher costs for the city and taxpayers. Behind the system’s struggles: allegations ranging from mismanagement to misconduct.Click here to read the article.

A Booming Economy Won’t Make Next State Budget Less Taxing

Click here to read more.

Inslee vetoes controversial legislative public records bill

Click here to read the article.

Washington state’s carbon tax bill dies in Legislature

Click here to read the article.

Washington State Investment Trust
(State Bank)

Senator Bob Hasegawa has introduced Senate Bill 5464 which would establish the Washington Investment Trust (State Bank). Click here for more details.

Legislative Session 2017

The 2017 Legislative Session convene for the regular session on Monday, January 9, 2017 and will end April 23, 2017.

Washington State Retirement Systems and Pension Funding

Click here to read the full document.

For information on LEOFF 1, see pages 16, 17, 23, 31, 32, 33, and 34.

Select Committee on Pension Policy Meeting Agenda

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Select Committee on Pension Policy is holding a committee meeting on November 14th. The Full Committee meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. in House Hearing Room B. The Executive Committee will meet at 12:20 p.m. in House Conference Rooms B15/18.
Click here to read the meeting agenda.
Click here for the map!

What’s the latest news in Olympia about the Leoff1 Pension system? – 2017

Are we going to be “merged” or not? Click here.

Select Committee on Pension Policy Final Merger Report

For December 13, 2016 – No recommendation
Click here for more details.
Click here to watch on TVW

Select Committee on Pension Policy Final Report Meeting

For Leoff1 Members to attend.
December 13, 2016 10:00 – 2:15 pm, The Select Committee on Pension Policy Merger Study Final Report.
Click here for more details.
Select Committee on Pension Policy Article From Dave Peery – click here.