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Ever
since WSLEA's inception 30 years ago (1968),
the association has steadfastly fought for
"what was right" for its members
and for law enforcement officers in the
State of Washington. WSLEA advocates positive
change when law enforcement officer safety
and retirement issues are at stake.
Not
too long ago, in 1989 to be exact, WSLEA
single-handedly introduced nine pieces of
legislation. WSLEA fought hard for issues,
such as LEOFF II Retirement Age Reduction,
Binding Interest Arbitration for all jurisdictions,
removal of exclusionary language within
LEOFF II disability leave supplement, death
benefit for LEOFF II, LEOFF II portability,
the Law Enforcement Medal
of Honor, and the Jail Labor Bill, to
name a few.
Advocacy
and legislative change require equanimity
and the ability to endure political attacks.
WSLEA has done both. Keeping in mind the
issues previously mentioned, let's take
a look at what has happened legislatively,
since 1989.
l
993 Legislative Session:
- HB
1294, the LEOFF II Age Reduction Bill
was signed into law by Governor Mike Lowry.
- HB
1081, Binding Arbitration legislation
(limited in scope) was signed into law.
- LEOFF
II Portability was incorporated into the
LEOFF II Age Reduction Bill and signed
by the governor.
l
994 Legislative Session:
- HB
2419, Law Enforcement Medal of Honor Bill
was signed into law by Governor Lowry.
- 1995
Governor Lowry signed a number of bills
that ensured positive change for law enforcement
officers.
1995
Legislative Session:
- SB
5120, the LEOFF II Death Benefits legislation.
SB 5120 increases from 100 percent to
150 percent, the amount of accumulated
retirement contributions receivable by
survivors of members of the LEOFF retirement
system who died on or after July 25, 1993.
Contributions restored after five years
of being re-employed are made refundable
at 100 percent (Chapter 245 Laws of 1995).
WSLEA began advocating this needed change
in 1989 (1989 WSLEA Membership Poll results
and WSLEA Legislative Issues and Priorities
Green Sheet).
- ESHB
1730, Binding Interest Arbitration. The
population threshold for determining which
jurisdictions are subject to interest
arbitration is modified beginning July
1, 1997. Interest arbitration is required
to resolve bargaining impasses in cities
with a population of 2,500 or more and
counties with a population of 10,000 or
more. The House
Fiscal Committee and Senate
Fiscal Committee are required to report
on law enforcement arbitration awards
issued since 1973 (Chapter 273 Laws of
1995). This issue was one of WSLEA's top
five legislative priorities since 1989.
- SHB
1069, Concealed Pistol Licenses. Retired
law enforcement officers are exempted
from having to have a license to carry
a concealed pistol if they are retired
for service or for physical disability
(Chapter 392 Laws of 1995). WSLEA continues
to monitor issues while strongly advocating
on behalf of retired law enforcement officer
issues.
- HB
1425, Privileged Communications. A new
privileged communication is established
between a peer support group counselor
and a law enforcement officer receiving
counseling services as a result of an
incident the officer was involved in while
acting in his or her official capacity
(Chapter 240 Laws of 1995).
In
1998 WSLEA endorsed Justice
Richard Sanders for the Supreme Court,
Mark
Sterk for Spokane
County Sheriff, and Senator
Pam Roach from the 31st Legislative
District.
WSLEA
will continue to monitor and advocate issues
of importance to Full-time, Reserve and
Retired Law Enforcement Officers in the
State of Washington.
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