Monday, March 18, 2024

Legislative News

Legislature Passes Budget, Adjourns

Legislature Passes Budget, Adjourns On Thursday, March 7, the Washington State Legislature came to a close.  Both chambers passed a supplemental operating budget and then adjourned. The budget, which added an additional $2.1 billion to the $69.8 billion biennial budget that the legislature passed last year, includes funding for Substitute House Bill 1985, providing a one-time cost of living adjustment …

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COLA, PEBB Month of Death Bill Pass Legislature

COLA, PEBB Month of Death Bill Pass Legislature On the evening of Wednesday, February 28, the Washington State Senate unanimously passed Substitute House Bill 1985 and House Bill 2481, RPEC’s top priority bills.  As identical versions of both bills were previously passed by the Washington State House of Representatives, both pieces of legislation have secured final passage and will now …

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COLA Bill and Month of Death Bills Continue to Advance

COLA bill and Month of Death bills continue to advance through the legislative process This last week, H.B. 1985 (one time cost of living adjustment in 2024 for PERS/TRS 1 retirees) received a unanimous House vote.  The bill has been advanced to the Senate Ways & Means Committee for consideration.  We thank all RPEC members, as well as the members …

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Retiree Priorities Make Progress & Concessions

Retiree Priorities Make Progress & Concessions On Thursday, January 25th, the House Appropriations Committee unanimously passed House Bill (HB) 1985, providing a one-time 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for Plan 1 retirees. However, citing a tight budget, the committee amended the bill to reduce the maximum monthly benefit from $125 to $110. Under the $110 cap, 84% of eligible Plan 1 …

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