Title 41 — Title 41 PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, CIVIL SERVICE, AND PENSIONS
37 chapters · 1,408 sections in this title.
RCW 41.24.010 Definitions.
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The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Administrative fund" means the volunteer firefighters' and reserve officers' administrative fund created under RCW 41.24.030.(2) "Appropriate legislation" means an ord…
RCW 41.24.020 Enrollment of firefighters—Death, disability, retirement benefits.
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(1) Every municipal corporation maintaining and operating a regularly organized fire department shall make provision by appropriate legislation for the enrollment of every firefighter under the relief provisions of this chapter for the purpose of providing protection for all its …
RCW 41.24.023 Retired participant may resume volunteer service—Board approval required.
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(1) A local municipality may, at its discretion, permit a retired participant to make application to the local board to resume volunteer service as a firefighter, under the following conditions:(a) A retired participant who chooses to resume volunteer service is not eligible for …
RCW 41.24.030 Volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund created—Reserve officers' relief and pension principal fund created—Composition—Investment—Use—Treasurer's report.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5998-S.SL) ***(1) The volunteer firefighters' relief and pension principal fund is created in the state treasury as a trust fund for the benefit of the volunteer firefighter and emergency worker participants covered by this chapter consisting of:(a) Al…
RCW 41.24.035 Legal, medical expenses—May be paid from earnings of the principal funds and administrative fund.
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(1) The state board is authorized to pay from the earnings of the principal funds and administrative fund lawful obligations of the system for legal expenses and medical expenses which expenses are primarily incurred for the purpose of protecting the principal funds or are incurr…
RCW 41.24.040 Fees, when payable—Interest—Effect of nonpayment.
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On or before the first day of March of each year, every municipality shall pay such amount as shall be due from it to the principal fund, together with the amounts collected from the participants. A participant shall not forfeit his or her right to participate in the relief provi…
RCW 41.24.050 Emergency medical technicians or first aid vehicle operators—Restriction on retirement system membership.
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No person serving as an emergency medical technician or first aid vehicle operator under chapter 18.73 RCW shall be permitted to join the law enforcement officers' and firefighters' retirement system solely on the basis of such service. In no case shall the membership of any fire…
RCW 41.24.060 Board of trustees—How constituted.
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A firefighter board of trustees is created and established to administer this chapter in every municipal corporation maintaining a regularly organized fire department. A firefighter board of trustees shall consist of the mayor, city clerk or comptroller, and one councilmember of …
RCW 41.24.070 Officers of board—Record of proceedings—Forms.
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The mayor or chair of the board or commission of any municipality with a fire department, or his or her designee, shall be chair of the firefighter board of trustees, and the clerk or comptroller or secretary of any such municipality, board, or commission, or his or her designee,…
RCW 41.24.080 Duties of board and state board—Disbursements.
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The board of trustees of each municipal corporation shall provide for enrollment of all members of its fire department under the relief provisions of this chapter; provide for enrollment of all its reserve officers under the relief provisions of this chapter if it has extended th…
RCW 41.24.090 Meetings.
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A board of trustees shall meet on the call of its chair on a regular monthly meeting day when there is business to come before it. The chair shall be required to call a meeting on any regular meeting day at the request of any member of the fund or his or her beneficiary claiming …
RCW 41.24.100 Compelling attendance of witnesses—Oaths—Rules and regulations.
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The board of trustees herein, in addition to other powers herein granted, shall have power to compel the attendance of witnesses to testify before it on all matters connected with the operation of this chapter, and its chair or any member of said board may administer oaths to suc…
RCW 41.24.110 Reimbursement of physicians and medical staff.
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The local board shall make provisions for reimbursing regularly licensed practicing physicians and other medical staff who examine participants making application for membership. Physicians and other medical staff shall perform such services and operations and render all medical …
RCW 41.24.120 Hearing of application for benefits—Appeal to state board.
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The local board shall initially hear and decide all applications for relief or retirement pensions under this chapter, subject to review by, or appeal by the proper person to, the state board where decision on such review or appeal shall be final and conclusive.[ 1999 c 148 s 11;…
RCW 41.24.130 Quorum—Vote on allowance of claims.
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A majority of the board of trustees shall constitute a quorum, and no business shall be transacted when a majority is not present, and no claim shall be allowed where a majority of the board has not voted favorably thereon.[ 1945 c 261 s 13; Rem. Supp. 1945 s 9578-27. Prior: 1935…
RCW 41.24.140 Guardian may be appointed.
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A local board may appoint a guardian whenever and wherever the claim of a participant or his or her beneficiary would, in the opinion of the local board, be best served by the appointment. The local board shall have full power to make and direct the payments under this chapter to…
RCW 41.24.150 Disability payments.
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(1)(a) Whenever a participant becomes physically or mentally disabled, injured, or sick, in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, so as to be wholly prevented from engaging in each and every duty of his or her regular occupation, business, or profe…
RCW 41.24.155 Vocational rehabilitation—Purpose—Costs—Administration—Discretion of state board.
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(1) One of the primary purposes of this section is to enable injured participants to return to their regular occupation, business, or profession, or to engage in any occupation or perform any work for compensation or profit. To this end, the state board shall utilize the services…
RCW 41.24.160 Death benefits.
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(1)(a) Whenever a participant dies as the result of injuries received, or sickness contracted in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the board of trustees shall order and direct the payment from the principal fund of (i) the sum of two hundred fo…
RCW 41.24.170 Retirement pensions.
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(1) Except as provided in RCW 41.24.410, whenever any participant has been a member and served honorably for a period of ten years or more as an active member in any capacity, of any regularly organized fire department or law enforcement agency of any municipality in this state, …
RCW 41.24.1701 Purchasing retirement pension coverage—Criteria.
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(1) At any time prior to or upon retiring and prior to receiving any pension disbursements, a participant is allowed to:(a) Purchase retirement pension coverage as provided in subsection (2) of this section for years of service credited prior to their enrollment in the pension sy…
RCW 41.24.172 Retirement pensions—Options—Election.
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Before beginning to receive the retirement pension provided for in RCW 41.24.170, the participant shall elect, in a writing filed with the state board, to have the retirement pension paid under either option 1 or 2, with option 2 calculated so as to be actuarially equivalent to o…
RCW 41.24.175 Disability or retirement payments—Computation according to latest legislative expression.
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Payments to persons who are now receiving, or who may hereafter receive any disability or retirement payments under the provisions of chapter 41.24 RCW shall be computed in accordance with the last act enacted by the legislature relative thereto: PROVIDED HOWEVER, That nothing he…
RCW 41.24.176 Disability or retirement payments—Construction.
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The provisions of *this 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 part of *this act.[ 1959 c 9 s 2.]Notes:*Reviser's note: "this act" appears in…
RCW 41.24.180 Lump sum payments.
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The board of trustees of any municipal corporation shall direct payment from the principal fund in the following cases:(1) To any participant, upon his or her request, upon attaining the age of sixty-five years, who, for any reason, is not qualified to receive the monthly retirem…
RCW 41.24.185 Lump sum payments—Monthly pension under fifty dollars.
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Any monthly pension, payable under this chapter, which will not amount to fifty dollars may be converted into a lump sum payment equal to the actuarial equivalent of the monthly pension. The conversion may be made either upon written application to the state board and shall rest …
RCW 41.24.190 Proof of service.
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The filing of reports of enrollment shall be prima facie evidence of the service of the participants therein listed for the year of such report as to service rendered subsequent to July 6, 1945. Proof of service of firefighters [participants] prior to that date shall be by docume…
RCW 41.24.200 Service need not be continuous nor in a single department or agency.
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The aggregate term of service of any participant need not be continuous nor need it be confined to a single fire department or law enforcement agency nor a single municipality in this state to entitle such participant to a retirement pension if the participant has been duly enrol…
RCW 41.24.210 Report of accident—Time limitation for filing report and claim.
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A participant shall not receive relief for disability, sickness, or injuries received in the performance of his or her duties, unless there is filed with the board of trustees a report of accident, which report shall be subscribed to by the claimant, the head of the department, a…
RCW 41.24.215 Injured volunteer—Recovery from third party.
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(1) If an injured volunteer seeks damages from a third party, the state board may also seek recovery of actual costs from the responsible third party. A volunteer seeking damages from a third party is required to notify the state board about the legal proceeding.(2) The state boa…
RCW 41.24.220 Hospitalization, surgery, etc.
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Whenever any participant becomes injured, disabled, or sick in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties by reason of which he or she is confined to any hospital or other medical facility, an amount not exceeding the daily ward rate of the hospital or r…
RCW 41.24.230 Funeral and burial expenses.
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Upon the death of any participant resulting from injuries or sickness in consequence or as the result of the performance of his or her duties, the board of trustees shall authorize the issuance of a voucher for the sum of two thousand dollars, and upon the death of any participan…
RCW 41.24.240 Benefits not transferable or subject to legal process—Exceptions—Chapter not exclusive.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 6346-S.SL) ***The right of any person to any future payment under the provisions of this chapter shall not be transferable or assignable at law or in equity, and none of the moneys paid or payable or the rights existing under this chapter, shall be sub…
RCW 41.24.245 Payments to spouse or ex spouse pursuant to court order.
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(1) If the state board or the secretary makes payments to a spouse or ex spouse to the extent expressly provided for in any court decree of dissolution or legal separation or in any court order or court-approved property settlement agreement incident to a court decree of dissolut…
RCW 41.24.250 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Composition—Terms—Vacancies—Oath.
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The state board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers is created to consist of five members who are participants under this chapter, at least three of whom are not receiving relief or retirement pension payments under this chapter, no two of whom shall be from the same …
RCW 41.24.260 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Meetings—Quorum.
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The state board shall hold regular semiannual meetings in April and October of each year, and special meetings not more than once monthly at such times and places as may be called by the chair or by two of its members. No action shall be taken by the state board without the appro…
RCW 41.24.270 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Compensation—Travel expenses.
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Each member of the state board shall be compensated in accordance with RCW 43.03.240. Each member shall also receive travel expenses, including going to and from meetings of the state board or other authorized business of the state board, in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.0…
RCW 41.24.280 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Attorney general is legal advisor.
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The attorney general shall be the legal advisor for the state board.[ 1999 c 148 s 24; 1955 c 263 s 5.]
RCW 41.24.290 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Powers and duties.
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The state board shall:(1) Generally supervise and control the administration of this chapter;(2) Promulgate, amend, or repeal rules and regulations not inconsistent with this chapter for the purpose of effecting a uniform and efficient manner of carrying out the provisions of thi…
RCW 41.24.300 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Vouchers, warrants.
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All expenses incurred by the state board shall be accomplished by vouchers signed by the secretary and one member of the state board and issued to the persons entitled thereto and sent to the proper state agency. The proper state agency shall issue a warrant on the principal fund…
RCW 41.24.310 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—Secretary, duties, compensation.
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The secretary shall maintain an office at Olympia at a place to be provided, wherein the secretary shall:(1) Keep a record of all proceedings of the state board, which shall be public;(2) Maintain a record of all members of the pension fund, including such pertinent information r…
RCW 41.24.320 State board for volunteer firefighters and reserve officers—State actuary to provide actuarial services.
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The state actuary shall provide actuarial services for the state board.[ 1999 c 148 s 28; 1989 c 91 s 25.]Notes:Effective date—1989 c 91: See note following RCW 41.24.010.
RCW 41.24.330 Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Creation.
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An emergency medical service district board of trustees is created to administer this chapter in every county maintaining a regularly organized emergency medical service district. The emergency medical service district board shall consist of two of the members of the county legis…
RCW 41.24.340 Emergency medical service districts—Board of trustees—Officers—Annual report.
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The chair of the county legislative authority, or the chair's designee, shall be chair of the emergency medical service district board of trustees, and the county auditor, or the auditor's designee, shall be the secretary-treasurer of the emergency medical service district board …
RCW 41.24.400 Reserve officers—Enrollment—Limitations.
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*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 2034-S2.SL) ***(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, any municipality may make provision by appropriate legislation and payment of fees required by *RCW 41.24.030(1) solely for the purpose of enabling any reserve officer to enroll u…
RCW 41.24.410 Reserve officers—Credit for service.
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Credit for service as a reserve officer shall not be counted for purposes of RCW 41.24.170 except as stated in this section: Within one year of an election to cover reserve officers under the retirement provisions of this chapter, the municipality must elect, on a one-time basis,…
RCW 41.24.430 Reserve officers—Eligibility for benefit.
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A reserve officer shall not receive a retirement benefit under this chapter unless he or she completes at least three years of service after July 23, 1995.[ 1995 c 11 s 8.]
RCW 41.24.450 Reserve officers—Municipality adoption of relief benefits.
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A municipality employing reserve officers may adopt appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers. The relief provisions of this chapter may not be extended to reserve officers if the municipality has extended industrial insurance…
RCW 41.24.460 Reserve officers—Board of trustees.
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A municipality that adopts appropriate legislation extending the relief provisions of this chapter to its reserve officers shall create a reserve officer board of trustees to administer this chapter composed as follows:(1) A county reserve officer board of trustees shall consist …
RCW 41.24.800 Payment of tax liability—2023 c 73.
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(1) Any tax liability accruing to members or beneficiaries of a plan that results directly from chapter 73, Laws of 2023 will be paid by the appropriate principal funds.(2) The state board may by rule establish a process that ensures tax penalties are paid by the principal fund f…