EHB 2179 — Concerning membership in the public employees' retirement system for port workers who participate in a federal railroad retirement plan, a union-sponsored defined benefit retirement plan, or another employer-funded private pension plan. (REVISED FOR ENGROSSED: Concerning membership in the public employees' retirement system for port workers who participate in a federal railroad retirement plan.)

What this bill does

Creates a new exception to membership in the Public Employees' Retirement System, exempting persons employed in eligible positions by a Port District and enrolled in a Federal Railroad Retirement Plan (FRRP) or a union-sponsored defined benefit plan (union plan). Applies the exemption both prospectively and retroactively to any period where a Port District made employer contributions to an FRRP or union plan.

From the Washington State Legislature's nonpartisan staff bill analysis. Read the full analysis ↗

Floor votes

• House — 3rd Reading & Final Passage · February 16, 2026
  96 yea · 1 nay · 1 not voting
• House — Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 12, 2026
  96 yea · 0 nay · 2 not voting
• Senate — 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate · March 4, 2026
  49 yea · 0 nay

Track EHB 2179 on OlympiaTrack

A free account adds a plain-English AI summary, the full hearing and amendment record, who testified, and roll calls by member. Plus email alerts when this bill moves.

Other bills sponsored by Abell

• 2ESHB 1541 — Concerning the veterans affairs advisory committee.
• SHB 2158 — Concerning electronic notarial acts.
• SHB 2239 — Providing Washingtonians and their loved ones with location choices for interment of remains.
• HB 2514 — Establishing a global war on terror memorial on the capitol campus.