reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.250 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Composition—Terms—Vacancies—Oath.

RCW 41.24.250
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Composition—Terms—Vacancies—Oath.
The state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers is created to consist of five members who are participants under this chapter, at least three of whom are not receiving relief or retirement pension payments under this chapter, no two of whom shall be from the same congressional district. The members are appointed by the governor to serve overlapping terms of six years. Of members first appointed, one shall be appointed for a term of six years, one for five years, one for four years, one for three years, and one for two years. The governor may consider participants who are recommended for appointment by the appropriate state associations. Upon the expiration of a term, a successor shall be appointed by the governor for a term of six years. Any vacancy shall be filled by the governor for the unexpired term. Each member of the state board, before entering on the performance of his or her duties, shall take an oath that he or she will not knowingly violate or willingly permit the violation of any provision of law applicable to this chapter, which oath shall be filed with the secretary of state.
The state board is not unlawfully constituted and a member of the board is not ineligible to serve the remainder of the member's unexpired term on the board solely by reason of the establishment of new or revised boundaries for congressional districts.
[ 2007 c 56 § 1; 1999 c 148 § 23; 1989 c 91 § 22; 1982 1st ex.s. c 30 § 11; 1955 c 263 § 2.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1989 c 91: See note following RCW 41.24.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.260 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Meetings—Quorum.

RCW 41.24.260
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Meetings—Quorum.
The state board shall hold regular semiannual meetings in April and October of each year, and special meetings not more than once monthly at such times and places as may be called by the chair or by two of its members. No action shall be taken by the state board without the approval of two members.
[ 2012 c 117 § 38; 1955 c 263 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.270 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Compensation—Travel expenses.

RCW 41.24.270
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Compensation—Travel expenses.
Each member of the state board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240. Each member shall also receive travel expenses, including going to and from meetings of the state board or other authorized business of the state board, in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
[ 1984 c 287 § 70; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 87; 1969 c 118 § 8; 1955 c 263 § 4.]
NOTES:
Legislative findings—Severability—Effective date—1984 c 287: See notes following RCW 43.03.220.
Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.280 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Attorney general is legal advisor.

RCW 41.24.280
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Attorney general is legal advisor.
The attorney general shall be the legal advisor for the state board.
[ 1999 c 148 § 24; 1955 c 263 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.290 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Powers and duties.

RCW 41.24.290
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Powers and duties.
The state board shall:
(1) Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter;
(2) Promulgate, amend, or repeal rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose of effecting a uniform and efficient manner of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and the purposes to be accomplished thereby, and for the government of boards of trustees of the municipalities of this state in the discharge of their functions under this chapter;
(3) Review any action, and hear and determine any appeal which may be taken from the decision of the board of trustees of any municipality made pursuant to this chapter;
(4) Take such action as may be necessary to secure compliance of the municipalities governed by this chapter and to provide for the collection of all fees and penalties which are, or may be, due and delinquent from any such municipality;
(5) Review the action of the board of trustees of any municipality authorizing any pension as provided by this chapter; and authorize the regular issuance of monthly warrants in payment thereof without further action of the board of trustees of such municipality;
(6) Require periodic reports from the recipient of any benefits under this chapter for the purpose of determining their continued eligibility therefor;
(7) Maintain such records as may be necessary and proper for the proper maintenance and operation of the principal fund, including records of the names of every person enrolled under this chapter, and provide all necessary forms to enable local boards of trustees to effectively carry out their duties as provided by this chapter;
(8) Compel the taking of testimony from witnesses under oath before the state board, or any member or the secretary thereof, or before the local board of trustees or any member thereof, for the purpose of obtaining evidence, at any time, in connection with any claim or pension pending or authorized for payment. For such purpose the state board shall have the same power of subpoena as prescribed in RCW 51.52.100. Failure of any claimant to appear and give any testimony as herein provided shall suspend any rights or eligibility to receive payments for the period of such failure to appear and testify;
(9) Appoint a secretary to hold office at the pleasure of the state board, fix the secretary's compensation at such sum as it shall deem appropriate, and prescribe the secretary's duties not otherwise provided by this chapter.
[ 1999 c 148 § 25; 1989 c 91 § 23; 1955 c 263 § 6.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1989 c 91: See note following RCW 41.24.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.300 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Vouchers, warrants.

RCW 41.24.300
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Vouchers, warrants.
All expenses incurred by the state board shall be accomplished by vouchers signed by the secretary and one member of the state board and issued to the persons entitled thereto and sent to the proper state agency. The proper state agency shall issue a warrant on the principal fund or administrative fund for the amount specified.
[ 1999 c 148 § 26; 1979 ex.s. c 157 § 2; 1969 c 118 § 9; 1955 c 263 § 7.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.310 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Secretary, duties, compensation.

RCW 41.24.310
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Secretary, duties, compensation.
The secretary shall maintain an office at Olympia at a place to be provided, wherein the secretary shall:
(1) Keep a record of all proceedings of the state board, which shall be public;
(2) Maintain a record of all members of the pension fund, including such pertinent information relative thereto as may be required by law or rule of the state board;
(3) Receive and promptly remit to the state treasurer all moneys received for the principal fund;
(4) Transmit periodically to the proper state agency for payment all claims payable from the principal fund, stating the amount and purpose of such payment;
(5) Certify monthly for payment a list of all persons approved for retirement pensions and the amount to which each is entitled; and
(6) Perform such other and further duties as shall be prescribed by the state board.
The secretary shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed by the state board, together with travel expenses in carrying out his or her duties authorized by the state board in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.
[ 1999 c 148 § 27; 1989 c 91 § 24; 1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34 § 88; 1969 c 118 § 10; 1955 c 263 § 8.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1989 c 91: See note following RCW 41.24.010.
Effective date—Severability—1975-'76 2nd ex.s. c 34: See notes following RCW 2.08.115.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.320 - State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—State actuary to provide actuarial services.

RCW 41.24.320
State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—State actuary to provide actuarial services.
The state actuary shall provide actuarial services for the state board.
[ 1999 c 148 § 28; 1989 c 91 § 25.]
NOTES:
Effective date—1989 c 91: See note following RCW 41.24.010.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.330 - Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Creation.

RCW 41.24.330
Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Creation.
An emergency medical service district board of trustees is created to administer this chapter in every county maintaining a regularly organized emergency medical service district. The emergency medical service district board shall consist of two of the members of the county legislative authority or their designees, the county auditor or the auditor's designee, the head of the emergency medical service district, and one emergency worker from the emergency medical service district to be elected by the emergency workers of the emergency medical service district for a term of one year and annually thereafter.
The emergency medical service district shall make provisions for the collection and payment of the fees provided under this chapter and shall continue to make such provisions for all emergency workers who come under this chapter as long as they shall continue to be members of the fire department.
[ 1999 c 148 § 29; 1993 c 331 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.340 - Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Officers—Annual report.

RCW 41.24.340
Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Officers—Annual report.
The chair of the county legislative authority, or the chair's designee, shall be chair of the emergency medical service district board of trustees, and the county auditor, or the auditor's designee, shall be the secretary-treasurer of the emergency medical service district board of trustees.
The secretary shall keep a public record of all proceedings and of all receipts and disbursements made by the emergency medical service district board of trustees, shall make an annual report of its expenses and disbursements with a full list of the beneficiaries of the principal fund in the county, and shall make all required reports to the state board. The state board shall provide all necessary forms to emergency worker boards of trustees.
[ 1999 c 148 § 30; 1993 c 331 § 3.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.400 - Reserve officers—Enrollment—Limitations.

RCW 41.24.400
Reserve officers—Enrollment—Limitations.
(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any municipality may make provision by appropriate legislation and payment of fees required by *RCW 41.24.030(1) solely for the purpose of enabling any reserve officer to enroll under the retirement pension provisions of this chapter or fees required under *RCW 41.24.030(1) to pay for the costs of extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers.
(2) A reserve officer is not eligible to receive a benefit under the retirement provisions of this chapter for service under chapter 41.26, 41.32, 41.35, 41.37, or 41.40 RCW.
(3) Every municipality shall make provisions for the collection and payment of the fees required under this chapter, and shall continue to make provisions for all reserve officers who come under this chapter as long as they continue to be employed as reserve officers.
(4) Except as provided under RCW 41.24.450, a reserve officer is not eligible to receive a benefit under the relief provisions of this chapter.
[ 2007 c 492 § 7; 1999 c 148 § 31; 1998 c 307 § 4; 1995 c 11 § 2.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 41.24.030 was amended by 2023 c 73 § 6, moving provisions for reserve officers to subsection (2).
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.410 - Reserve officers—Credit for service.

RCW 41.24.410
Reserve officers—Credit for service.
Credit for service as a reserve officer shall not be counted for purposes of RCW 41.24.170 except as stated in this section: Within one year of an election to cover reserve officers under the retirement provisions of this chapter, the municipality must elect, on a one-time basis, one of the following:
(1)(a) To count credit for service only after July 23, 1995;
(b) To pay annual fees only for service after July 23, 1995; or
(2)(a) To count credit for all service as a reserve officer, but only if the actuarial cost, as determined by the state board, is paid by the municipality. The municipality may charge reserve officers for any portion of the cost; and
(b) To pay annual fees only for service after July 23, 1995; or
(3)(a) To count credit for all service as a reserve officer, but only if the actuarial cost, as determined by the state board, is paid by the municipality. The municipality may charge reserve officers for any portion of the cost; and
(b) To pay annual fees for service prior to July 23, 1995, if:
(i) The reserve officer elects, within one year of the municipality's election under this section, to pay the annual fee plus one percent per month interest for each year of past service counted; and
(ii) The municipality pays the actuarial cost, as determined by the state board, of the benefit provided in (b) of this subsection. The municipality may charge reserve officers for any portion of the cost.
Payments under this section may be made in a lump sum or in a manner prescribed by the state board.
[ 1995 c 11 § 4.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.430 - Reserve officers—Eligibility for benefit.

RCW 41.24.430
Reserve officers—Eligibility for benefit.
A reserve officer shall not receive a retirement benefit under this chapter unless he or she completes at least three years of service after July 23, 1995.
[ 1995 c 11 § 8.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.450 - Reserve officers—Municipality adoption of relief benefits.

RCW 41.24.450
Reserve officers—Municipality adoption of relief benefits.
A municipality employing reserve officers may adopt appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers. The relief provisions of this chapter may not be extended to reserve officers if the municipality has extended industrial insurance coverage to its reserve officers under RCW 51.12.140 or 51.12.035(2), or any other provision of law. A municipality that adopts appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers shall enjoy the same extent of immunity from civil actions for personal injuries to its reserve officers that arises if the reserve officers were covered under Title 51 RCW.
[ 1999 c 148 § 32; 1998 c 307 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.460 - Reserve officers—Board of trustees.

RCW 41.24.460
Reserve officers—Board of trustees.
A municipality that adopts appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers shall create a reserve officer board of trustees to administer this chapter composed as follows:
(1) A county reserve officer board of trustees shall consist of the following five members: (a) Two members of the county legislative authority and the county auditor, or their designees; (b) the sheriff; and (c) one reserve officer who is elected by reserve officers of the county for an annual one-year term.
(2) Any other reserve officer board of trustees shall consist of the following five members: (a) The mayor, if one exists for the municipality, and one member of the municipality's legislative authority, or two members of the municipality's legislative authority if a mayor does not exist for the municipality, or their designees; (b) the clerk, comptroller, or chief fiscal officer of the municipality; (c) the head of the law enforcement agency; and (d) one reserve officer who is elected by reserve officers of the municipality for an annual term of one year.
(3) The secretary of the board of trustees shall keep a public record of all proceedings and of all receipts and disbursements made by the board of trustees, shall make an annual report of its expenses and disbursements with a full list of the beneficiaries of the principal fund in the municipality, and shall make all required reports to the state board. The state board shall provide the boards of trustees with all necessary forms.
[ 1999 c 148 § 33; 1998 c 307 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.800 - Payment of tax liability—2023 c 73.

RCW 41.24.800
Payment of tax liability—2023 c 73.
(1) Any tax liability accruing to members or beneficiaries of a plan that results directly from chapter 73, Laws of 2023 will be paid by the appropriate principal funds.
(2) The state board may by rule establish a process that ensures tax penalties are paid by the principal fund for the appropriate plan. This process should be designed in coordination with tax counsel to ensure that any claims are valid, and that members and beneficiaries are impacted as little as reasonably possible.
[ 2023 c 73 § 2.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2023 c 73: "(1) The legislature finds that the tax deferral of contributions to the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' relief and pension system is contingent on retaining qualified status with the internal revenue service, and that the loss of qualified status could potentially result in costly unintended tax liability for the plan and plan members. The state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers has recently been alerted by the internal revenue service that the plan is not in compliance with the rules for qualification because it contains reserve officer members.
(2) To avoid the possible loss of plan qualification while ensuring both reserve officers and volunteer firefighters receive the benefits they have been promised, the legislature intends to align the plan with federal requirements by splitting the plan into two separate plans overseen by the same board. All members and beneficiaries of each plan should receive the same benefits after the split that they would have prior to the split.
(3) To accomplish the split, the legislature intends for this act to take the following actions:
(a) Reserve officer members, including active, retired, and beneficiaries of those members, are to be moved to a new reserve officers' plan, while volunteer firefighters and emergency medical technicians remain in the existing plan. Both will reside within the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' system and be overseen by the state board created in RCW 41.24.250; and
(b) The principal fund defined in RCW 41.24.010(10) will be split into two funds; one for each plan. The contributions and earnings will be split proportionate to the membership of each group.
(4) While it is the intent of the legislature that this act be carried out in a way that avoids any tax consequences for the plan, members, and beneficiaries, in the event of such consequences the legislature intends for the plan to absorb the cost of those tax consequences so that the members and beneficiaries are not negatively impacted." [ 2023 c 73 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.801 - Administration—2023 c 73.

RCW 41.24.801
Administration—2023 c 73.
The state board is instructed to administer chapter 73, Laws of 2023 in a way that neither reduces benefits, nor grants additional benefits, for members or beneficiaries of the plan.
[ 2023 c 73 § 4.]
NOTES:
Finding—Intent—2023 c 73: See note following RCW 41.24.800.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.24 - Volunteer Firefighters' and Reserve Officers' Relief and Pensions. › 41.24.900 - Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.

RCW 41.24.900
Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships.
[ 2009 c 521 § 92.]
NOTES:
Effective dates—2009 c 521 §§ 5-8, 79, 87-103, 107, 151, 165, 166, 173-175, and 190-192: See note following RCW 2.10.900.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.010 - Short title.

RCW 41.26.010
Short title.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Washington Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System Act".
[ 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.020 - Purpose of chapter.

RCW 41.26.020
Purpose of chapter.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for an actuarial reserve system for the payment of death, disability, and retirement benefits to law enforcement officers and firefighters, and to beneficiaries of such employees, thereby enabling such employees to provide for themselves and their dependents in case of disability or death, and effecting a system of retirement from active duty.
[ 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.035 - "Minimum medical and health standards" defined.

RCW 41.26.035
"Minimum medical and health standards" defined.
The term "minimum medical and health standards" means minimum medical and health standards adopted by the department under this chapter.
[ 1991 c 35 § 14; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 2.]
NOTES:
Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.045 - Minimum medical and health standards.

RCW 41.26.045
Minimum medical and health standards.
(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law after February 19, 1974 no law enforcement officer or firefighter, may become eligible for coverage in the pension system established by this chapter, until the individual has met and has been certified as having met minimum medical and health standards: PROVIDED, That an elected sheriff or an appointed chief of police or fire chief, shall not be required to meet the age standard: PROVIDED FURTHER, That in cities and towns having not more than two law enforcement officers and/or not more than two firefighters and if one or more of such persons do not meet the minimum medical and health standards as required by the provisions of this chapter, then such person or persons may join any other pension system that the city has available for its other employees: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That for one year after February 19, 1974 any such medical or health standard now existing or hereinafter adopted, insofar as it establishes a maximum age beyond which an applicant is to be deemed ineligible for coverage, shall be waived as to any applicant for employment or reemployment who is otherwise eligible except for his or her age, who has been a member of any one or more of the retirement systems created by chapter 41.20 of the Revised Code of Washington and who has restored all contributions which he or she has previously withdrawn from any such system or systems.
(2) This section shall not apply to persons who initially establish membership in the retirement system on or after July 1, 1979.
[ 2012 c 117 § 40; 1979 ex.s. c 249 § 3; 1977 ex.s. c 294 § 20; 1974 ex.s. c 120 § 8; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 3.]
NOTES:
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 120: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.046 - Minimum medical and health standards—Board to adopt—Publication and distribution—Employer certification procedures.

RCW 41.26.046
Minimum medical and health standards—Board to adopt—Publication and distribution—Employer certification procedures.
By July 31, 1971, the *retirement board shall adopt minimum medical and health standards for membership coverage into the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system act. In adopting such standards the *retirement board shall consider existing standards recommended by the international association of chiefs of police and the international association of firefighters, and shall adopt equal or higher standards, together with appropriate standards and procedures to insure uniform compliance with this chapter. The standards when adopted shall be published and distributed to each employer, and each employer shall adopt certification procedures and such other procedures as are required to insure that no law enforcement officer or firefighter receives membership coverage unless and until he or she has actually met minimum medical and health standards: PROVIDED, That an elected sheriff or an appointed chief of police, fire chief, or director of public safety shall not be required to meet the age standard. The *retirement board may amend the minimum medical and health standards as experience indicates, even if the standards as so amended are lower or less rigid than those recommended by the international associations mentioned above. The cost of the medical examination contemplated by this section is to be paid by the employer.
[ 2012 c 117 § 41; 1987 c 418 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 294 § 21; 1974 ex.s. c 120 § 12; 1972 ex.s. c 131 § 2; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 4.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Powers, duties, and functions of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement board were transferred to the director of retirement systems by RCW 41.26.051, which has been decodified. See Table of Disposition of Former RCW Sections.
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 120: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 131: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.047 - Minimum medical and health standards—Exemptions—Employer may adopt higher standards.

RCW 41.26.047
Minimum medical and health standards—Exemptions—Employer may adopt higher standards.
Nothing in RCW 41.26.035, 41.26.045 and 41.26.046 shall apply to any firefighters or law enforcement officers who are employed as such on or before August 1, 1971, as long as they continue in such employment; nor to promotional appointments after becoming a member in the police or fire department of any employer nor to the reemployment of a law enforcement officer or firefighter by the same or a different employer within six months after the termination of his or her employment, nor to the reinstatement of a law enforcement officer or firefighter who has been on military or disability leave, disability retirement status, or leave of absence status. Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to prevent any employer from adopting higher medical and health standards than those which are adopted by the *retirement board.
[ 2012 c 117 § 42; 1972 ex.s. c 131 § 3; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 5.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: Powers, duties, and functions of the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement board were transferred to the director of retirement systems by RCW 41.26.051, which has been decodified. See Table of Disposition of Former RCW Sections.
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 131: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.053 - Exemption from judicial process, taxes—Exceptions—Deduction for insurance upon request.

RCW 41.26.053
Exemption from judicial process, taxes—Exceptions—Deduction for insurance upon request.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the right of a person to a retirement allowance, disability allowance, or death benefit, to the return of accumulated contributions, the retirement, disability or death allowance itself, any optional benefit, any other right accrued or accruing to any person under the provisions of this chapter, and the moneys in the fund created under this chapter, are hereby exempt from any state, county, municipal, or other local tax and shall not be subject to execution, garnishment, attachment, the operation of bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any other process of law whatsoever, whether the same be in actual possession of the person or be deposited or loaned and shall be unassignable.
(2) On the written request of any person eligible to receive benefits under this section, the department may deduct from such payments the premiums for life, health, or other insurance. The request on behalf of any child or children shall be made by the legal guardian of such child or children. The department may provide for such persons one or more plans of group insurance, through contracts with regularly constituted insurance carriers or health care service contractors.
(3) Subsection (1) of this section shall not prohibit the department from complying with (a) a wage assignment order for child support issued pursuant to chapter 26.18 RCW, (b) an order to withhold and deliver issued pursuant to chapter 74.20A RCW, (c) a notice of payroll deduction issued pursuant to *RCW 26.23.060, (d) a mandatory benefits assignment order issued by the department, (e) a court order directing the department of retirement systems to pay benefits directly to an obligee under a dissolution order as defined in RCW 41.50.500(3) which fully complies with RCW 41.50.670 and 41.50.700, or (f) any administrative or court order expressly authorized by federal law.
[ 2012 c 159 § 21. Prior: 1991 c 365 § 20; 1991 c 35 § 25; 1989 c 360 § 24; 1987 c 326 § 22; 1979 ex.s. c 205 § 4; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 12; 1970 ex.s. c 6 § 15; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 23. Formerly RCW 41.26.180.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 26.23.060 was amended by 2021 c 35 § 15, changing "notice of payroll deduction" to "income withholding order."
Severability—1991 c 365: See note following RCW 41.50.500.
Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.
Effective date—1987 c 326: See RCW 41.50.901.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.056 - No bond required on appeal to court.

RCW 41.26.056
No bond required on appeal to court.
No bond of any kind shall be required of a claimant appealing to the superior court, the court of appeals, or the supreme court from a decision of the director affecting such claimant's right to retirement or disability benefits.
[ 1984 c 184 § 18; 1971 c 81 § 103; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 21. Formerly RCW 41.26.230.]
NOTES:
Severability—1984 c 184: See note following RCW 41.50.150.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.057 - Benefit calculation—Limitation.

RCW 41.26.057
Benefit calculation—Limitation.
(1) The annual compensation taken into account in calculating retiree benefits under this system shall not exceed the limits imposed by section 401(a)(17) of the federal internal revenue code for qualified trusts.
(2) The department shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.
[ 1995 c 145 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.059 - Establishing, restoring service credit.

RCW 41.26.059
Establishing, restoring service credit.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, persons who fail to:
(1) Establish allowable membership service not previously credited;
(2) Restore all or a part of that previously credited membership service represented by withdrawn contributions; or
(3) Restore service credit represented by a lump sum payment in lieu of benefits, before the deadline established by statute, may do so under the conditions set forth in RCW 41.50.165.
[ 1998 c 17 § 1.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.061 - Disability retirement—Criminal conduct.

RCW 41.26.061
Disability retirement—Criminal conduct.
A member shall not receive a disability retirement benefit under RCW 41.26.120, 41.26.125, 41.26.130, or 41.26.470 if the disability is the result of criminal conduct by the member committed after April 21, 1997.
[ 1997 c 103 § 1.]
NOTES:
Severability—1997 c 103: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1997 c 103 § 4.]
Effective date—1997 c 103: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately [April 21, 1997]." [ 1997 c 103 § 5.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.062 - Falsification—Penalty.

RCW 41.26.062
Falsification—Penalty.
Any employer, member or beneficiary who shall knowingly make false statements or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of the retirement system in an attempt to defraud the retirement system, is guilty of a class B felony punishable according to chapter 9A.20 RCW.
[ 2003 c 53 § 217; 1972 ex.s. c 131 § 10. Formerly RCW 41.26.300.]
NOTES:
Intent—Effective date—2003 c 53: See notes following RCW 2.48.180.
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 131: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.075 - Provisions applicable to plan 1.

RCW 41.26.075
Provisions applicable to plan 1.
RCW 41.26.080 through 41.26.3903 shall apply only to members of plan 1.
[ 1992 c 72 § 3; 1991 c 35 § 101.]
NOTES:
Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.080 - Funding total liability of plan 1 system.

RCW 41.26.080
Funding total liability of plan 1 system.
(1) Except as set forth under subsection (2) of this section, the total liability of the plan 1 system shall be funded as follows:
(a) Every plan 1 member shall have deducted from each payroll a sum equal to six percent of his or her basic salary for each pay period.
(b) Every employer shall contribute monthly a sum equal to six percent of the basic salary of each plan 1 employee who is a member of this retirement system. The employer shall transmit the employee and employer contributions with a copy of the payroll to the retirement system monthly.
(c) The remaining liabilities of the plan 1 system shall be funded as provided in chapter 41.45 RCW.
(d) Every member shall be deemed to consent and agree to the contribution made and provided for herein, and shall receipt in full for his or her salary or compensation. Payment less said contributions shall be a complete discharge of all claims and demands whatsoever for the services rendered by such person during the period covered by such payments, except his or her claim to the benefits to which he or she may be entitled under the provisions of this chapter.
(2) No employer or member contribution is required after June 30, 2000, unless the most recent valuation study for law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 1 indicates the plan has unfunded liabilities. The legislature clarifies the enactment of section 907, chapter 1, Laws of 2000 2nd sp. sess. and affirms the suspension of employer and member contributions to plan 1 of the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system, effective June 30, 2000, as provided in this subsection. The legislature intends this 2007 amendment of this subsection to be curative, remedial, and retrospectively applicable to June 30, 2000.
[ 2007 c 492 § 8; 2000 2nd sp.s. c 1 § 907; 1991 c 35 § 17; 1989 c 273 § 13; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 8.]
NOTES:
Severability—Effective date—2000 2nd sp.s. c 1: See notes following RCW 41.05.143.
Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.100 - Allowance on retirement for service.

RCW 41.26.100
Allowance on retirement for service.
A member upon retirement for service shall receive a monthly retirement allowance computed according to his or her completed creditable service credit years of service as follows: Five years but under ten years, one-twelfth of one percent of his or her final average salary for each month of service; ten years but under twenty years, one-twelfth of one and one-half percent of his or her final average salary for each month of service; and twenty years and over one-twelfth of two percent of his or her final average salary for each month of service: PROVIDED, That the recipient of a retirement allowance who shall return to service as a law enforcement officer or firefighter shall be considered to have terminated his or her retirement status and he or she shall immediately become a member of the retirement system with the status of membership he or she had as of the date of retirement. Retirement benefits shall be suspended during the period of his or her return to service and he or she shall make contributions and receive service credit. Such a member shall have the right to again retire at any time and his or her retirement allowance shall be recomputed, and paid, based upon additional service rendered and any change in final average salary.
[ 2006 c 350 § 1; 1991 c 343 § 16; 1974 ex.s. c 120 § 3; 1972 ex.s. c 131 § 7; 1971 ex.s. c 257 § 9; 1970 ex.s. c 6 § 5; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 10.]
NOTES:
Effective date—2006 c 350 § 1: "Section 1 of this act takes effect July 1, 2006." [ 2006 c 350 § 3.]
Findings—Effective dates—1991 c 343: See notes following RCW 41.50.005.
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 120: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Severability—1972 ex.s. c 131: See note following RCW 41.26.030.
Purpose—Severability—1971 ex.s. c 257: See notes following RCW 41.26.030.
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.105 - Purchase of actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit upon retirement—Purchase by past retirees.

RCW 41.26.105
Purchase of actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit upon retirement—Purchase by past retirees.
(1) At the time of retirement, plan 1 members may purchase an optional actuarially equivalent life annuity benefit from the Washington law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system plan 1 retirement fund established in RCW 41.50.075. A minimum payment of twenty-five thousand dollars is required.
(2) Subject to rules adopted by the department, a member purchasing an annuity under this section must pay all of the cost with an eligible rollover, direct rollover, or trustee-to-trustee transfer from an eligible retirement plan.
(a) The department shall adopt rules to ensure that all eligible rollovers and transfers comply with the requirements of the internal revenue code and regulations adopted by the internal revenue service. The rules adopted by the department may condition the acceptance of a rollover or transfer from another plan on the receipt of information necessary to enable the department to determine the eligibility of any transferred funds for tax-free rollover treatment or other treatment under federal income tax law.
(b) "Eligible retirement plan" means a tax qualified plan offered by a governmental employer.
(3) Plan 1 members whose retirement was effective prior to June 9, 2016, may purchase an annuity under this section between January 1, 2017, and June 1, 2017.
[ 2016 c 222 § 2.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.115 - Director of retirement systems to adopt rules governing disability boards—Remand of orders not in accordance with rules.

RCW 41.26.115
Director of retirement systems to adopt rules governing disability boards—Remand of orders not in accordance with rules.
(1) The director of retirement systems shall adopt rules, in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, under which each disability board shall execute its disability retirement duties under this chapter. The rules shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(a) Standards governing the type and manner of presentation of medical, employability, and other evidence before disability boards; and
(b) Standards governing the necessity and frequency of medical and employability reexaminations of persons receiving disability benefits.
(2) If the director determines that an order or determination of a disability board was not processed in accordance with the rules established under this section, the director may remand the order or determination for further proceedings consistent with the rules.
[ 1981 c 294 § 1.]
NOTES:
Severability—1981 c 294: "If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [ 1981 c 294 § 16.]
2023 Revised Code of Washington › Title 41 - Public Employment, Civil Service, and Pensions › Chapter 41.26 - Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System. › 41.26.130 - Allowance on retirement for disability.

RCW 41.26.130
Allowance on retirement for disability.
(1) Upon retirement for disability a member shall be entitled to receive a monthly retirement allowance computed as follows: (a) A basic amount of fifty percent of final average salary at time of disability retirement, and (b) an additional five percent of final average salary for each child as defined in *RCW 41.26.030(7), (c) the combined total of (a) and (b) of this subsection shall not exceed a maximum of sixty percent of final average salary.
(2) A disabled member shall begin receiving the disability retirement allowance as of the expiration of his or her six month period of disability leave or, if his or her application was filed after the sixth month of discontinuance of service but prior to the one year time limit, the member's disability retirement allowance shall be retroactive to the end of the sixth month.
(3) Benefits under this section will be payable until the member recovers from the disability or dies. If at the time that the disability ceases the member is over the age of fifty, he or she shall then receive either disability retirement allowance or retirement for service allowance, whichever is greater.
(4) Benefits under this section for a disability that is incurred while in other employment will be reduced by any amount the member receives or is entitled to receive from workers' compensation, social security, group insurance, other pension plan, or any other similar source provided by another employer on account of the same disability.
(5) A member retired for disability shall be subject to periodic examinations by a physician approved by the disability board prior to attainment of age fifty, pursuant to rules adopted by the director under RCW 41.26.115. Examinations of members who retired for disability prior to July 26, 1981, shall not exceed two medical examinations per year.
[ 1991 c 35 § 20; 1987 c 185 § 11; 1981 c 294 § 3; 1970 ex.s. c 6 § 8; 1969 ex.s. c 209 § 13.]
NOTES:
*Reviser's note: RCW 41.26.030 was alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k), changing subsection (7) to subsection (6).
Intent—1991 c 35: See note following RCW 41.26.005.
Intent—Severability—1987 c 185: See notes following RCW 51.12.130.
Severability—1981 c 294: See note following RCW 41.26.115.