Move workers' compensation court to judicial branch

This bill transfers Montana's workers' compensation judge from the Department of Labor and Industry to the state's judicial branch, placing the judge under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The new law requires the judge to meet the same qualifications as district court judges, serve a six-year term, and receive the same salary as a district judge while being barred from private legal practice. Funding for the judge and court operations will come from a new special fund, with $500,000 annually transferred from the existing workers' compensation administration fund starting July 15 of each fiscal year. The legislation also changes retirement requirements, moving the judge to the Montana Judges' Retirement System unless they elect to remain in the public employees' retirement system by October 1, 2025.