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 as “do pass.” Amongst those amendments was a proposal to have the State Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP) study whether or not the responsibility for LEOFF 1 Disability Boards should be transferred to the State. This is of particular concern.
On March 6th the Senate passed 2ESHB 2034, along with the amendment to have the SCPP study the issue of the transfer of LEOFF 1 Disability Boards’ responsibilities to the State. Now that amended bill has to be passed by the House, which we expect it will do. After that passage, it will have to go to the Governor for his signature and adoption.
As you already know, 2ESHB 2034 proposes to transfer from the LEOFF 1 surplus 569 million dollars to the State Climate Commitment Act with the rest of the surplus (somewhere between 3.0 and 4 billion dollars) ultimately being transferred to the State Treasury.
The RFFOW has adamantly opposed this bill, and if it passes as expected, we will be challenging it in court, and likely with the IRS as well. In order to do this, the RFFOW is going to join with other LEOFF 1 groups to retain Setve Bergman, of the nationally recognized law firm of Berman Sobol Shapiro, LLP, to litigate this case.
Be assured that we will do everything possible to make sure that this bill never becomes effective.
