SB 6073
In CommitteeSenate
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 full-time wildland and aviation firefighters in the Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF), allowing them to join the retirement plan and receive benefits. It also updates definitions and employer eligibility to clarify coverage for state and tribal employees and ensure fair service credit during pay reductions.
- Explicitly includes full-time wildland and aviation firefighters—defined as working at least 160 hours per month for more than six months per year—in the definition of 'firefighter' under LEOFF.
- Adds the Department of Natural Resources as an 'employer' for LEOFF purposes when employing qualifying wildland or aviation firefighters.
- Clarifies that 'service' credit is not reduced due to furloughs, pay cuts, or other budget-driven reductions (e.g., during the 2019–21 pandemic-related budget crisis), ensuring members still earn full credit for scheduled hours.
- Expands the definition of 'employer' to include tribal governments that employ certified general authority peace officers, allowing tribal officers to join LEOFF Plan 2.
- Reenacts and amends RCW 41.26.030 to update definitions related to retirement eligibility, salary calculations, and service credit—particularly for Plan 1 and Plan 2 members.
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).
- State and local government employers — State agencies like the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Social and Health Services, and Department of Corrections will be recognized as employers for LEOFF membership for firefighters serving at prisons, civil commitment centers, or on wildland fire crews.
- Current and future LEOFF members — Retirement benefits for firefighters and law enforcement officers may be affected by updated definitions of 'basic salary', 'final average salary', and 'service'—especially regarding pay reductions during budget crises (e.g., 2009–11, 2011–13, 2019–21).
- Tribal law enforcement personnel — Federally recognized tribes in Washington may now include qualified police officers in LEOFF Plan 2 if they meet specific criteria, expanding tribal access to state retirement benefits.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (4)
Explicitly includes full-time wildland and aviation firefighters (≥160 hrs/month for >6 months/year) in LEOFF, granting them access to a defined-benefit retirement plan—significantly improving long-term financial security for a high-risk, underpaid workforce that previously lacked retirement eligibility.
retirement securityPeopleRef: RCW 41.26.030(17)(j)Ensures full service credit is earned despite furloughs or pay reductions during budget crises (e.g., 2019–21), protecting firefighters’ retirement benefits from being penalized during public emergencies—a correction that benefits frontline workers who endured austerity without voluntary opt-in.
retirement securityPeopleRef: RCW 41.26.030(29)(a)(iii) & (b)(v)Adds DNR as an employer for LEOFF when hiring qualifying wildland/aviation firefighters, enabling state agencies to offer competitive benefits to recruit and retain critical fire personnel—helping stabilize workforce levels in fire-prone regions.
Local GovernmentPeopleRef: RCW 41.26.030(14)(b)(vi)Expands LEOFF Plan 2 eligibility to tribal police officers certified as general authority peace officers, affirming tribal sovereignty and enabling tribal law enforcement to access state retirement benefits—supporting public safety and equity in tribal communities.
Rights & LibertiesPeopleRef: RCW 41.26.030(19)(f)
Potential Concerns (1)
The bill requires the state to include compensation forgone during budget-driven furloughs and pay cuts (e.g., 2019–21) in final average salary calculations, increasing retirement benefit payouts without requiring additional employee contributions—costing the retirement system more and potentially increasing employer contribution rates over time, which could strain state and local budgets.
FinancialPeopleRef: RCW 41.26.030(15)(c)(iii)
Who Is Most Affected
Wildland and aviation firefighters—especially those at DNR—gain access to a robust retirement plan for the first time, improving long-term financial security and retention in high-risk jobs.
State agencies like DNR, DOC, and DSHS gain flexibility to hire and retain firefighters under a standardized retirement plan, though long-term employer contribution costs may rise.
Tribal law enforcement in Washington gain access to LEOFF Plan 2, enhancing recruitment and retention—though tribes must meet certification and funding requirements to participate.
Current LEOFF members may see modest benefit increases due to restored service credit for past furloughs, but future benefit growth could be offset by rising system costs and potential contribution increases.
The state retirement system (DRS) faces higher long-term liabilities due to expanded coverage and restored service credit, potentially increasing actuarial assumptions and employer contribution rates—though no immediate fiscal impact is specified.