WA People
BILL · 2025–26 SESSION · LATEST VERSION EHB 2179

HB 2179: Port workers PERS membership

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.)

Summary

  • 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, beginning January 1, 2027.

From the Engrossed House Bill Report (EHB 2179), written by the Legislature's nonpartisan staff. Read the full report ↗

Enacted Enacted · Chapter 133, Laws of 2026
  1. IntroducedJan 12, 2026
  2. Out of committeeJan 27, 2026
  3. Passed HouseFeb 16, 2026
  4. Passed SenateMar 4, 2026
  5. GovernorMar 23, 2026
  6. LawMar 23, 2026
Prime sponsor
Hunter Abell (R-7)
Introduced
January 12, 2026 in the House
Last action
March 23, 2026
Session law
Chapter 133, Laws of 2026
Companion bill
SB 5905
Budget
Has a fiscal note
Versions
HB 2179, EHB 2179

AN ACT Relating to 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;

Sponsors

Prime sponsor: Hunter Abell (R-7)

3 co-sponsors (1 Democrat, 2 Republicans)

Andrew Engell R-7Stephanie Barnard R-8Janice Zahn D-41

Votes

House · 3rd Reading & Final Passage

Passed February 16, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2179
96 Yea 1 Nay 0 Absent 1 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat57101
Republican39000
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Nay (1)

Excused (1)

Permalink to this vote

Senate · 3rd Reading & Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 4, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2179
49 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 0 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat30000
Republican19000
How each member voted

Yea (49)

Permalink to this vote

House · Final Passage as Amended by the Senate

Passed March 12, 2026
Version voted on: EHB 2179
96 Yea 0 Nay 0 Absent 2 Excused
PartyYeaNayAbsentExcused
Democrat58001
Republican38001
How each member voted

Yea (96)

Excused (2)

Permalink to this vote

History

  1. Effective date 6/11/2026*. (EHB 2179)
  2. Chapter 133, 2026 Laws. (EHB 2179)
  3. Governor signed. (EHB 2179)
  4. President signed. (EHB 2179)
  5. Speaker signed. (EHB 2179)
  6. Delivered to Governor. (EHB 2179)
  7. Passed final passage; yeas, 96; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 2. (EHB 2179)
  8. House concurred in Senate amendments. (EHB 2179)
  9. Third reading, passed; yeas, 49; nays, 0; absent, 0; excused, 0. (EHB 2179)
  10. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2179)
  11. Committee amendment(s) adopted with no other amendments. (EHB 2179)
  12. Placed on second reading by Rules Committee. (EHB 2179)
  13. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading. (EHB 2179)
  14. WM - Majority; do pass with amendment(s). (EHB 2179)
  15. First reading, referred to Ways & Means. (EHB 2179)
  16. Third reading, passed; yeas, 96; nays, 1; absent, 0; excused, 1. (EHB 2179)
  17. Rules suspended. Placed on Third Reading. (EHB 2179)
  18. Floor amendment(s) adopted. (EHB 2179)
  19. Rules Committee relieved of further consideration. Placed on second reading. (EHB 2179)
  20. Referred to Rules 2 Review. (EHB 2179)
  21. APP - Executive action taken by committee. (EHB 2179)
  22. APP - Majority; do pass. (EHB 2179)
  23. First reading, referred to Appropriations. (EHB 2179)
  24. Prefiled for introduction. (EHB 2179)

HB 2179 in other sessions

Bill numbers restart every two years, so the same number is a different bill in each session.

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