Beginning July 1, 2001, the required contribution rate for members of the Washington state patrol retirement system shall be two percent or equal to the employer rate adopted under RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070 for the Washington state patrol retirement system, whichever is greater. The employee contribution rate shall not, however, include any increase as a result of distributions under RCW 43.43.270(2) for survivors of members who became disabled under RCW 43.43.040(2) prior to July 1, 2006. Concurrently with the adoption of the employer contribution rate for the Washington state patrol retirement system, the state actuary shall calculate the required contribution rate for members, which is fixed in accordance with this section. The state actuary shall immediately notify the directors of the office of financial management and department of retirement systems of the required contribution rate for members, which shall be effective for the ensuing rate-setting period.

[2007 c 280 § 5; 2006 c 94 § 2; 2001 c 329 § 11.]

(1) The allocation of costs between the employer and members of the Washington state patrol retirement system shall be made only after the application of any minimum total contribution rate that may be in effect for the system under subsection (4) of this section. For benefit improvements effective on or after July 1, 2007, costs shall be shared equally by members and the employer, and any cap on member contributions shall be adjusted accordingly. The member contribution rate shall be based on the adjusted total contribution rate described in subsection (2) of this section. Beginning July 1, ((2001)) 2007, the required member contribution rate for members of the Washington state patrol retirement system shall be ((two percent or equal to the employer rate adopted under RCW 41.45.060 and 41.45.070 for the Washington state patrol retirement system, whichever is greater. The employee contribution rate shall not, however, include any increase as a result of)) the lesser of the following: (a) One-half of the adjusted total contribution rate for the system; or (b) seven percent, plus fifty percent of the contribution rate increase caused by any benefit improvements effective on or after July 1, 2007.

     (2) The employer shall continue to pay for all costs attributable to distributions under RCW 43.43.270(2) for survivors of members who became disabled under RCW 43.43.040(2) prior to July 1, 2006, until such costs are fully paid. In order to avoid charging members for these costs, the total required contribution rate shall be adjusted to exclude these costs. The result of the adjustment shall be the adjusted total contribution rate that is to be used to calculate the required member contribution rate.

     (3) The employer rate shall be the contribution rate required to cover all total system costs that are not covered by the member contribution rate.

     (4) Beginning July 1, 2009, a minimum total contribution rate is established for the Washington state patrol retirement system. The total Washington state patrol retirement system contribution rate as adopted by the pension funding council and subject to revision by the legislature may exceed, but may not drop below, the established minimum total contribution rate. The minimum total contribution rate shall equal the total contribution rate required to fund seventy percent of the Washington state patrol retirement system's normal cost as calculated under the entry age normal cost method. Upon completion of each biennial actuarial valuation, the state actuary shall review the appropriateness of this minimum total contribution rate and recommend to the legislature any adjustments as may be needed.

[2007 c 300 § 1; 2006 c 94 § 2; 2001 c 329 § 11.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: RCW 41.45.0631 was amended twice during the 2007 legislative session, each without reference to the other. For rule of construction concerning sections amended more than once during the same legislative session, see RCW 1.12.025.

     Effective date -- 2007 c 300: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2007." [2007 c 300 § 3.]

     Effective date -- 2001 c 329: See note following RCW 43.43.120.