Manweller elected chair of the Select Committee on Pension Policy
Rep. Matt Manweller has been elected chair of the Select Committee on Pension Policy (SCPP).
Manweller, who has been a member of the SCPP since 2013, chaired his first meeting on Tuesday.
“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee I am fully aware of the importance pensions play in our budget process and future financial obligations,” said Manweller, R-Ellensburg. “I am elated I have been chosen to chair this committee. I have been a member of the committee since I was elected to the Legislature. We have an essential responsibility to ensure our pension systems are continually financially stable and secure and make any necessary recommendations to the Legislature to protect and keep our pension system strong.”
The SCPP studies issues and policies affecting the state's public employee retirement systems. The committee can also make recommendations to the Legislature requesting changes or amendments to state law.
Manweller has been actively involved in pension issues. Last year, he was the prime-sponsor of House Bill 2202, which fixed a discrepancy in the Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters (LEOFF) pension system regarding eligibility of EMTs. Without the legislation public hospital districts, including some in the 13th Legislative District, were potentially facing large fiscal implications.
The SCPP is made up of 20 members:
- Four members of the Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate.
- Four members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House.
- Four representatives of active members, appointed by the governor.
- Two representatives of retired members, appointed by the governor.
- Four employer representatives, appointed by the governor.
- The directors of the Department of Retirement Systems and the Office of Financial Management.
The SCPP usually meets a number of times during the legislative interim. While the committee usually does not meet during the legislative session, a meeting may be scheduled, depending on the needs of the committee. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17.
