This bill amends Washington state law to allow certified general authority peace officers employed full-time by federally recognized tribes to participate in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Plan 2. It expands the definition of "general authority law enforcement agency" to include tribal governments and modifies the definition of "law enforcement officer" to encompass tribal law enforcement personnel, provided they are employed in a police department maintained by the tribe and certified as general authority peace officers. This change aims to provide equitable retirement benefits for tribal law enforcement officers, aligning them with their state and local counterparts.

Additionally, the bill establishes a framework for tribal participation in the retirement system, allowing the governor to enter into state-tribal compacts that outline the application process and necessary agreements, including adherence to reporting requirements and a limited waiver of sovereign immunity. It also mandates that tribal governments contribute to the retirement system for their law enforcement officers and allows these officers to establish credit for service prior to July 1, 2025, under specific conditions. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Original Bill: 41.26.030, 41.26.450
Bill as Passed Legislature: 41.26.030, 41.26.450
Session Law: 41.26.030, 41.26.450