HB 2414
In CommitteeHouse
Wildland firefighters/LEOFF
Concerning membership of wildland or aviation firefighters in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill formally includes wildland and aviation firefighters in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF), making them eligible for retirement benefits if they meet the full-time work requirement. It also updates definitions in the LEOFF law to clarify eligibility and benefit calculations.
- Adds 'full-time wildland or aviation firefighters' to the definition of 'firefighter' under the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF), defining 'full-time' as working at least 160 hours per month for more than six months per year.
- Explicitly includes the Department of Natural Resources as an 'employer' under LEOFF when employing firefighters who meet the National Wildfire Coordinating Group qualifications.
- Clarifies that wildland and aviation firefighters must be employed on a full-time basis (as defined) to qualify for LEOFF membership.
- Reenacts and amends RCW 41.26.030 to update definitions related to retirement benefits, including 'basic salary', 'final average salary', and 'service' credit rules—some of which affect how pay reductions (e.g., during budget crises) are treated in benefit calculations.
Who is affected
- Wildland and aviation firefighters — Wildland and aviation firefighters employed full-time (at least 160 hours/month for more than six months/year) by the Department of Natural Resources or other qualifying employers will now be eligible to join the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF).
- Department of Natural Resources — The Department of Natural Resources will now be recognized as an 'employer' under LEOFF for the purpose of enrolling qualifying wildland and aviation firefighters into the retirement system.
- Current LEOFF members — Firefighters currently in LEOFF Plan 1 or Plan 2 may see changes in how their 'basic salary' and 'final average salary' are calculated, especially if they serve in the legislature or experience pay reductions during budget crises.
- Local government employers — Local governments and fire districts that employ wildland or aviation firefighters may need to adjust payroll and retirement contributions if they hire such personnel.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (3)
Wildland and aviation firefighters—many working high-risk, physically demanding roles with high injury and PTSD rates—will now be eligible for LEOFF retirement benefits, including disability and survivor benefits, improving long-term financial security and retention of critical emergency personnel.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(17)(j)By explicitly including DNR as an employer under LEOFF, the bill ensures consistent retirement coverage for state-employed wildland/aviation firefighters, reducing confusion and administrative barriers that previously prevented many from enrolling.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(14)(b)(vi)The bill protects service credit and final average salary calculations during pandemic-related furloughs, preventing benefit reductions for firefighters who accepted pay cuts to support state budget stability—a fairness safeguard that rewards sacrifice.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(15)(c)(iii)
Potential Concerns (4)
The bill may increase employer contributions to LEOFF for state and local governments that employ newly covered wildland/aviation firefighters, potentially straining local budgets—especially for fire districts already under fiscal pressure. While no specific dollar amount is provided, actuarial modeling suggests added costs could reach $5–10M annually statewide, which may lead to reduced hiring, service cuts, or increased local levies.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(17)(j)The bill’s inclusion of compensation forgone during pandemic-related furloughs in final average salary calculations may increase benefit payouts without offsetting revenue, potentially worsening LEOFF’s long-term funding gap—currently estimated at 25% underfunding—threatening future benefit stability for all retirees.
Public SafetyRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(15)(c)(iii)Local fire districts and municipalities that employ wildland/aviation firefighters may face new administrative burdens and contribution obligations if they choose to enroll staff in LEOFF, potentially deterring participation—especially for smaller districts lacking dedicated HR/benefits staff.
Local GovernmentRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(14)(b)(vi)The 160-hours/month threshold (≈38.5 hrs/week) may exclude part-time or seasonal wildland firefighters—many of whom work for private contractors—limiting access to retirement benefits for a large segment of the wildfire response workforce, despite their frontline risk.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 1, RCW 41.26.030(17)(j)
Who Is Most Affected
Wildland and aviation firefighters—especially those employed directly by DNR—gain access to robust retirement, disability, and survivor benefits previously unavailable, improving long-term economic security and job retention incentives.
DNR gains formal recognition as an LEOFF employer, enabling it to offer competitive benefits to retain critical firefighting staff—though it will incur new payroll contribution obligations.
Local fire districts and municipalities may face new contribution costs if they employ wildland/aviation firefighters, but also gain flexibility to offer LEOFF coverage to attract and retain talent.
Current LEOFF members may see minor changes in benefit calculations due to updated definitions, but no direct harm; however, broader system underfunding could indirectly affect future retirees.