The bill amends RCW 41.50.255 to authorize the director to pay from the interest earnings of various retirement system trust funds for legal and medical expenses incurred to protect these funds or comply with governing statutes. The definition of "legal expense" is expanded to include specific costs such as legal services, expert witness fees, and travel expenses, while "medical expense" encompasses costs related to medical examinations and reports. Additionally, the bill removes the previous definition of "administrative expenses" and introduces new provisions for costs associated with preventing and investigating fraud, as well as collecting overpayments.

Furthermore, the bill specifies that expenses related to fraud prevention can include audits, cybersecurity measures, and liaison work with the attorney general's office, ensuring that trust funds are safeguarded against potential losses. Any funds recovered from fraud investigations must be returned to the appropriate trust funds, reinforcing the accountability and protection of these financial resources.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 41.50.255
Substitute bill: 41.50.255
Bill as passed Legislature: 41.50.255
Session law: 41.50.255