ESSB 5860 was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor on June 15, 2011. This legislation reduces base salary by 3 percent for most state employees of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches whose full-time monthly salary is $2500 or greater. There are some limited exceptions.
Temporary Salary Reduction Leave
The bill also provides that employees who are subject to the salary reduction would accrue additional Temporary Salary Reduction (TSR) leave at the rate of up to 5.2 hours per month. Because the savings comes from the actual reduction to salary, not from a reduction in time worked, TSR leave will be a form of paid leave.
Pension Benefits Protected
HB 2070, passed by the Legislature this session, protects pension benefits from being reduced because of the temporary salary reductions in 2011-13. This applies to members of PERS, TRS, SERS, PSERS, WSPRS, and LEOFF Plan 2. See the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS) website for further information about HB 2070.
Additional Information: