After careful review of the legislation, we have obtained legal opinions from several prominent law firms concluding that the bill raises significant constitutional concerns and is likely unlawful. In particular, the legislation impairs vested contractual rights and benefits that have long been protected under Washington law. Based on this legal advice, we have retained Steve […]
HB2034 Passes Legislature
The bill to terminate and restate LEOFF 1 passed the legislature and goes to the Governor. It is imperative that everyone contact the governor’s office and ask him to VETO the bill. Here is how the voting went: HB 2034 – LEOFF 1 restatement3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate3/6/2026Yeas: 25 Nays: […]
In Opposition
Alert! Breaking news! LEOFF 1 Coalition, Retired Seattle Police Officers’ Association, Retired Firefighters of Washington, and Wa State Retired Deputy Sheriffs and Police Officers Association join forces to adamantly oppose bill E2SHB 2034 March 6, 2026 Dear Senator, On behalf of the retired members and beneficiaries of the Law Enforcement Officers’ and Fire Fighters’ Retirement […]
RFFOW HB2034 Update
March 9, 2026 by Michael Duchemin, President, Retired Firefighters of Washington On February 13th the Washington State House of Representatives passed SHB 2034, the restatement of LEOFF 1 bill with a reversion of pension funds to the State. SHB 2034 was then sent to the Senate Ways & Means Committee, where certain amendments were recommended […]
Pension advocates protest WA bill targeting LEOFF 1 plan funds – The Center Square
The Center Square Feb 27, 2026A: Washington state bill that would dissolve a pension plan created in the 1960s and closed to new members in 1977 took a barrage of criticism during a Feb. 26 public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means, with opponents arguing the proposal is both illegal and threatens other plans. […]
Hagens Berman Prepares to Defend Retirement Rights of Washington State First Responders as State Senate Weighs Bill Threatening to Strip Away $3.3B in Benefits
2/26/2026: Washington state LEOFF Board Members speak out as firm outlines material shortcomings of HB 2034 and the risks to retired firefighters and law enforcement officers SEATTLE–(BUSINESS WIRE)–#WApoli–The Washington state Senate Ways and Means Committee is considering a bill that could jeopardize the retirement benefits of first responders, according to attorneys at Hagens Berman, and […]
Former King County sheriff leads lawsuit blocking lawmakers from grabbing first responder pensions
BY LUKE DUECY KIRO Newsradio Reporter February 26, 2026 Former King County Sheriff and Congressman Dave Reichert is now helping lead a legal fight against state lawmakers over a controversial pension proposal. Reichert told me roughly 5,500 retired first responders have filed a lawsuit aimed at blocking House Bill 2034, which would redirect more than […]
HB 2034
This bill passed the House and is now in the Senate. Scheduled for public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 1:30 PM on February 26th. We need everybody to respond and notify the Senate that this bill should be rejected. For so many reasons it is wrong. We suspect it will […]
Attack on LEOFF1 dies!
By Admin on April 26, 2025 in 2025 Legislature, LEOFF 1/LEOFF 2 Merger, LEOFF 1/TRS 1 Merger, Merger, Miscellaneous
As the legislature winds down it appears that the two bills attacking LEOFF1, HB2034 and SB5085 have failed to pass and are now dead–at least for this session. In our judgement both of these bill were illegal and would have failed in a law suit that would have surely been filed. The legislature is instructing […]
COLA 2025
COLA percentages for LEOFF Plan 1 (effective April 1, 2025) Retirement Dates Adjustment April 2, 2024 – March 31, 2025 0.00% January 1, 2024 – April 1, 2024 3.61% April 2, 2023 – December 31, 2023 9.33% Prior to April 2, 2023 3.61% LEOFF Plan 1 COLAs are effective April 1 and included with April […]