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SB 6073

Concerning membership of wildland or aviation firefighters in the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jess Bateman and 3 co-sponsors

SB 6073 expands Washington's firefighter retirement system to include wildland and aviation firefighters, providing equal retirement benefits for comparable hazardous work.

Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Ways & Means at 4:00 PM.
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Bill Summary · SB 6073

Legislative bill overview

SB 6073 would expand eligibility for Washington's Law Enforcement Officers' and Firefighters' Retirement System (LEOFF) to include wildland and aviation firefighters who are currently excluded. This would allow these firefighters to access the same retirement benefits as traditional structural firefighters and law enforcement officers.

Why this is important

Wildland and aviation firefighters perform dangerous work comparable to traditional firefighters but lack access to the same retirement security, creating inequities in compensation and benefits for workers in similar hazardous roles. This directly affects recruitment and retention of these specialized firefighting positions, which have become increasingly critical as wildfire seasons intensify.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Expanding LEOFF membership increases long-term retirement liabilities and requires actuarial analysis of funding requirements, which could raise employer contribution rates or reduce system solvency
  • Definition boundaries: Determining which wildland and aviation positions qualify creates administrative complexity and potential disputes over job classifications and eligibility criteria
  • Retroactive benefit treatment: Whether current wildland/aviation firefighters receive credit for past service years could significantly increase costs versus covering only prospective participants

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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