Senate amends public-safety retirement language, moves SB46 forward

Senate committee chair Robert Montgomery reported a favorable recommendation on Senate Bill 46 on Jan. 31, 1995, including amendments to clarify which public-safety positions qualify for enhanced retirement treatment.

Senator Black explained that law-enforcement stakeholders asked to remove wording that had required an officer to "actively put their life on the line" to qualify; the amendment instead covers positions that "may place the employee at risk of life and personal safety," language the committee accepted.

Questions on scope and dispatchers During floor discussion senators asked whether the bill would include dispatchers or other security staff. Senator Peterson asked that the Senate journal reflect that the bill does not explicitly include dispatchers; the sponsor and proponents explained that the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council and a subcommittee can provide recommendations about coverage and adjudicate disputes, pointing to compliance with the Administrative Procedures Act (title 63, chapter 46).

Senator Montgomery and others described the amendment as a response to law-enforcement input; Montgomery said the change avoids implying officers must seek out life-threatening situations as a job requirement.

Disposition The Senate adopted the committee report, carried the motion, and moved SB46 to the bottom of the third-reading calendar. The floor roll call recorded 29 ayes and 1 nay; the bill was passed along the calendar for later third-reading consideration.