The bill amends the public employees' retirement system (PERS) to clarify the eligibility of port workers who participate in certain federal and private retirement plans. Specifically, it establishes that employees of port districts who are covered by a federal railroad retirement plan or a private defined benefit pension plan are not eligible for membership in the PERS for the same period of service. This aims to prevent employees from receiving retirement service credit in multiple defined benefit plans for the same service period and ensures that employers are not required to make contributions to more than one retirement plan for the same employee during that time.

Additionally, the bill modifies RCW 41.40.023 to include a new exception for port district employees who participate in a federal railroad retirement plan, thereby exempting them from PERS membership. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2027. This legislative action reflects the intent to maintain clarity and consistency in retirement benefits for port workers while aligning with existing practices regarding employer contributions to private pension plans.

Statutes affected:
Original bill: 41.40.023
Engrossed bill: 41.40.023
Bill as passed Legislature: 41.40.023
Session law: 41.40.023