HB2160 — HB 2160 is moved to the end of the agenda, then David Pringle briefs the committee on the bill. The discussion explains that the bill changes eligibility rules for school employee coverage under the SEBB program, including a look-back/sub rule that would allow employees who previously worked the required 630 hours for two years to return to the same or a similar position with the same employer and become eligible for coverage on day one.
HB2160 — During the public hearing on House Bill 2160, multiple witnesses expressed strong support for the bill. Testimony explained that it addresses gaps in substitute and school employee health coverage, including delayed access to insurance after working 630 hours, and frames the measure as a step toward improving affordable care while helping recruit and retain workers. Speakers said the bill could still be refined but urged legislators to move it forward this session and support public sector workers.
HB2160 — House Bill 2160 is discussed as a costly proposal that would increase expenses for an already underfunded program by changing the substitute-benefit eligibility lookback from two years to one year. Speakers argue it is not a low-cost bill, warn that any added costs would require additional state funding, and repeatedly urge the committee not to advance it. A later witness from the association also states opposition, saying the bill would add burden to already constrained district budgets.
HB2160 — House Bill 2160 was discussed in the context of public testimony, including a concern that the bill could negatively affect retiree substitutes who combine hours across districts to avoid benefits eligibility. The public hearing on the bill then concluded.
HB2179 — The agenda order is changed so HB 2179 will be third on the agenda.
HB2179 — House Bill 2179 is presented as a narrow, technical, and retroactive clarification to retirement law that creates an exemption from PERS membership for certain port district railroad employees, allowing them to remain covered by their existing railroad or union retirement systems. The discussion explains that the bill applies both prospectively and retroactively, prevents inadvertent dual enrollment, and preserves the integrity of existing pension arrangements. Public testimony opens in support of the bill, emphasizing that it clarifies the retirement statute, protects pension status, and keeps the Port of Ponderay’s railroad division covered solely by the railroad retirement system. The hearing concludes with additional support describing the measure as a clean fix that aligns ports with federal and collectively bargained retirement systems.
HB2124 — The committee’s staff briefing on House Bill 2124 introduces the bill, explains that it was requested by the Department of Retirement Systems and would increase the minimum monthly benefit threshold for lump-sum payout treatment, and notes that a fiscal note is included in the electronic bill book.
David Pringle — David Pringle introduces himself as staff to the committee, after which the chair invites questions for him and asks him to remain to brief the committee on HB 2160.
David Pringle — David Pringle provided a staff briefing on House Bill 2179, introducing and explaining the bill, and then continued the discussion by answering questions about whether the bill would create retroactive PERS exemption liability for unique employee groups.
David Pringle — Referenced as having previously explained that the funding rate reflects average system cost rather than the cost of one individual.
David Pringle — Referenced as having highlighted that part-time eligibility is one of the most complex areas of employee benefits.
HB2125 — House Bill 2125 is introduced as a request from the Department of Retirement Systems, and the discussion explains that the bill removes the biennial restriction so expenditures from earnings on the pension funds can continue.
David — Responded that he had not seen modeling work quantifying how many individuals might be affected.
David — The speaker apologizes for mispronouncing David's name earlier; the exact identity is unclear from the transcript.
Joshua Penner — Representative Penner asks where the eligibility line should be drawn and whether eligibility would carry over if an employee changes job types, such as moving from a bus driver position to a secretary role. The discussion continues in follow-up remarks on the same eligibility issue.
Joshua Penner — Dave refers to Rep. Penner as the member who asked a question about the topic being discussed, repeating and clarifying that Penner had raised a question in that area.
Adam Bernbaum — The chair addressed Representative Birnbaum for citing Washington Administrative Code and Revised Code of Washington numbers, noting that such code references are not used in committee, and the exchange continued with a brief acknowledgment thanking Rep. Birnbaum.
Adam Bernbaum — Representative Bernbaum was thanked for sponsoring and supporting House Bill 2160.
Adam Bernbaum — Referenced as having previously described the insurance-coverage problem.
Adam Bernbaum — Thanked for explaining the problem in his own words.
Michael Keaton — Referenced as having asked a question to staff about job types and vagueness.
Melanie Morgan — Representative Mangiaris asks whether the sponsor has encountered substitute employees who qualify for benefits but choose not to enroll, which would still leave districts responsible for paying the cost. The exchange ends with a brief thank-you that appears to be a transcription error or misattributed name mention.
Lisa Callan — Introduces the next agenda item and invites Seth Miller to testify.
Lisa Callan — Representative Macri transitions the committee from questions to public testimony on House Bill 2179 and announces the public testimony lineup.
Lisa Callan — Representative Macri manages the hearing flow by thanking the testifiers, handling the testimony queue, and then transitioning to the next remote testifier.
Seth Miller — Seth Miller is invited to testify and then provides testimony for the Department of Retirement Systems on the bill, explaining that it reduces complexity and aligns lump-sum law across plans. He continues the same testimony, reiterating his affiliation, thanking the sponsors, and noting that the bill preserves flexibility provided in the last budget.
Seth Miller — Seth Miller, from the Department of Retirement Systems, was identified as a witness and then provided testimony supporting clarification of the retirement statute. He thanked the legislators and stakeholders involved, and concluded by saying he was available to answer questions about the bill and the retirement statute.
Drew Stokesbary — Thanked as a sponsor of the agency request legislation.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Thanked as a sponsor of the agency request legislation.
Joe Fitzgibbon — Asked about retroactive exemption liability and referenced prior PERS exemption legislation.
James Coburn — James Coburn, government relations manager for the Washington Public Ports Association, testified in support of the bill. He explained that it addresses a very narrow issue affecting a small number of employees in longstanding employer-funded pension plans and said recent statutory interpretation questions make clarification necessary. He concluded that the bill simply provides that clarity and thanked DRS and labor stakeholders for their engagement.
Jessica Garza — Jessica Garza is listed as present in the room and then testifies, identifying herself as representing the Port of Ponderay.
Jonathan Eder — Jonathan Eder is introduced as an online witness and then testifies as the chief administrative officer for the Port of Vancouver, USA, speaking in support of the bill.
Mike Acord — Mike Acord was called to testify on House Bill 2160 and identified himself as a retired substitute and substitute advocate in Washington. He testified in support of earlier health care eligibility for substitutes, arguing that they need health care at the start of their jobs like other workers and that the look-back period should be one year rather than two, reflecting the varied and often inconsistent nature of substitute assignments and credentials.
Mason Geer — Called to the testimony table for House Bill 2160.
Aaron Hike — Aaron Hike was called to the testimony table for House Bill 2160 and then testified on behalf of SEIU 925, beginning his remarks and indicating he was speaking in support of Lawrence Brown.
Peter Henry — Queued for online testimony.
Peter Henry — Peter Henry, secretary of the Seattle Substitutes Association and a longtime Seattle Public Schools teacher/substitute, testifies about his experience with unstable health insurance over the years, including district coverage, the exchange, and COBRA. He says his current coverage as a substitute is more stable, emphasizes that continued health care is important for substitutes and paraeducators who may not be able to afford to stay in the role without it, and argues that the bill would provide a low-cost benefit to students and should be supported.
Deborah Nissen — Queued for online testimony.
Deborah Nissen — Deborah Nissen is introduced as the next remote testifier, then identifies herself as vice president of the retired council of the Washington Education Association and a retired substitute teacher. She begins her testimony by expressing strong support for health care access.
Mike Milky — Queued for online testimony.
Jared Mason Geer — Testified for the Washington Education Association in strong support of House Bill 2160.
Timm Ormsby — The chair is addressed as Chair Ormsby.
Timm Ormsby — Addressed as Chair in the prior context and referenced here as 'David' being invited to continue; the speaker is responding to committee questions.
Lawrence Brown — Lawrence Brown, a Bellevue School District bus driver, testified through Aaron Hike that school bus drivers provide an essential service by safely transporting students. He emphasized that benefits are important for retaining drivers and that delays or lack of access to those benefits make it harder to keep enough drivers on the job.
Blair / Kylob Skarek (uncertain) — An in-person testifier is called to the table, but the name is unclear in the transcript.
Nicole Macri — Representative Macri thanked the speaker and moved to the next witness.
Mike Mielke — A paraeducator and single dad from the Renton School District testified in support of the bill.
HB2160 — The witness expressed support for HB 2160 and explained that the bill would transfer earned eligibility for substitute benefits into the next fiscal year.
HB2160 — Adam supports HB 2160, arguing that it would help school employees and their families access stable, quality health care without long delays. He says the bill would make a real difference by giving school employees greater confidence and security in their essential roles and urges support for the measure.