As used in RCW 43.43.120 through 43.43.320, unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context:

     (1) "Actuarial equivalent" shall mean a benefit of equal value when computed upon the basis of such mortality table as may be adopted and such interest rate as may be determined by the director.

     (2) "Annual increase" means as of July 1, 1999, seventy-seven cents per month per year of service which amount shall be increased each subsequent July 1st by three percent, rounded to the nearest cent.

     (3)(a) "Average final salary," for members commissioned prior to January 1, 2003, shall mean the average monthly salary received by a member during the member's last two years of service or any consecutive two-year period of service, whichever is the greater, as an employee of the Washington state patrol; or if the member has less than two years of service, then the average monthly salary received by the member during the member's total years of service.

     (b) "Average final salary," for members commissioned on or after January 1, 2003, shall mean the average monthly salary received by a member for the highest consecutive sixty service credit months; or if the member has less than sixty months of service, then the average monthly salary received by the member during the member's total months of service.

     (4) "Beneficiary" means any person in receipt of retirement allowance or any other benefit allowed by this chapter.

     (5)(a) "Cadet," for a person who became a member of the retirement system after June 12, 1980, is a person who has passed the Washington state patrol's entry-level oral, written, physical performance, and background examinations and is, thereby, appointed by the chief as a candidate to be a commissioned officer of the Washington state patrol.

     (b) "Cadet," for a person who became a member of the retirement system before June 12, 1980, is a trooper cadet, patrol cadet, or employee of like classification, employed for the express purpose of receiving the on-the-job training required for attendance at the state patrol academy and for becoming a commissioned trooper. "Like classification" includes: Radio operators or dispatchers; persons providing security for the governor or legislature; patrol officers; drivers' license examiners; weighmasters; vehicle safety inspectors; central wireless operators; and warehouse workers.

     (6) "Contributions" means the deduction from the compensation of each member in accordance with the contribution rates established under chapter 41.45 RCW.

     (7) "Current service" shall mean all service as a member rendered on or after August 1, 1947.

     (8) "Department" means the department of retirement systems created in chapter 41.50 RCW.

     (9) "Director" means the director of the department of retirement systems.

     (10) "Domestic partners" means two adults who have registered as domestic partners under *RCW 26.60.020.

     (11) "Employee" means any commissioned employee of the Washington state patrol.

     (12) "Insurance commissioner" means the insurance commissioner of the state of Washington.

     (13) "Lieutenant governor" means the lieutenant governor of the state of Washington.

     (14) "Member" means any person included in the membership of the retirement fund.

     (15) "Plan 2" means the Washington state patrol retirement system plan 2, providing the benefits and funding provisions covering commissioned employees who first become members of the system on or after January 1, 2003.

     (16) "Prior service" shall mean all services rendered by a member to the state of Washington, or any of its political subdivisions prior to August 1, 1947, unless such service has been credited in another public retirement or pension system operating in the state of Washington.

     (17) "Regular interest" means interest compounded annually at such rates as may be determined by the director.

     (18) "Retirement board" means the board provided for in this chapter.

     (19) "Retirement fund" means the Washington state patrol retirement fund.

     (20) "Retirement system" means the Washington state patrol retirement system.

     (21)(a) "Salary," for members commissioned prior to July 1, 2001, shall exclude any overtime earnings related to RCW 47.46.040, or any voluntary overtime, earned on or after July 1, 2001.

     (b) "Salary," for members commissioned on or after July 1, 2001, shall exclude any overtime earnings related to RCW 47.46.040 or any voluntary overtime, lump sum payments for deferred annual sick leave, unused accumulated vacation, unused accumulated annual leave, holiday pay, or any form of severance pay.

     (22) "Service" shall mean services rendered to the state of Washington or any political subdivisions thereof for which compensation has been paid. Full time employment for seventy or more hours in any given calendar month shall constitute one month of service. An employee who is reinstated in accordance with RCW 43.43.110 shall suffer no loss of service for the period reinstated subject to the contribution requirements of this chapter. Only months of service shall be counted in the computation of any retirement allowance or other benefit provided for herein. Years of service shall be determined by dividing the total number of months of service by twelve. Any fraction of a year of service as so determined shall be taken into account in the computation of such retirement allowance or benefit.

     (23) "State actuary" or "actuary" means the person appointed pursuant to RCW 44.44.010(2).

     (24) "State treasurer" means the treasurer of the state of Washington.

     (25) Unless the context expressly indicates otherwise, words importing the masculine gender shall be extended to include the feminine gender and words importing the feminine gender shall be extended to include the masculine gender.

[2009 c 549 § 5124; 2009 c 522 § 1; 2001 c 329 § 3; 1999 c 74 § 1; 1983 c 81 § 1; 1982 1st ex.s. c 52 § 24; 1980 c 77 § 1; 1973 1st ex.s. c 180 § 1; 1969 c 12 § 1; 1965 c 8 § 43.43.120. Prior: 1955 c 244 § 1; 1953 c 262 § 1; 1951 c 140 § 1; 1947 c 250 § 1; Rem. Supp. 1947 § 6362-81.]

NOTES:

     Reviser's note: *(1) The reference to RCW 26.60.020 appears to be erroneous. Reference to RCW 26.60.040 was apparently intended.

     (2) The definitions in this section have been alphabetized pursuant to RCW 1.08.015(2)(k).

     (3) This section was amended by 2009 c 522 § 1 and by 2009 c 549 § 5124, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

     Effective date -- 2001 c 329: "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, 2001." [2001 c 329 § 14.]

     Effective date -- 1983 c 81: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect on July 1, 1983." [1983 c 81 § 4.]

     Effective dates -- 1982 1st ex.s. c 52: See note following RCW 2.10.180.

     Construction -- 1969 c 12: "The provisions of this 1969 amendatory act are intended to be remedial and procedural and any benefits heretofore paid to recipients hereunder pursuant to any previous act are retroactively included and authorized as a part of this act." [1969 c 12 § 8.]