Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 208: Revise definition of "dependent child" in highway patrol, police, and firefighter retirement systems

SB 208 revises the definition of "dependent child" within the retirement systems for highway patrol officers, police officers, and firefighters. For the Highway Patrol Officers' retirement system, the bill removes the requirement that a deceased member must have been "retired" for their child to be considered a dependent. This means an unmarried child under 18, or under 24 if a full-time student, of any deceased member may now qualify for benefits. The bill also updates the specific age and student status criteria for dependent children in the Police Officers' retirement system, and aims to make similar revisions for firefighters.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands dependent benefits for public safety retirees' families, strengthening employment benefits under retirement systems by removing eligibility barriers.85% confidence

Tags Children

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 85: Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

HB 85 reinstates former employer contribution rates for four specific public employee retirement systems: the Judges', Highway Patrol Officers', Sheriffs', and Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement Systems. This directly impacts the governmental entities that employ these personnel and contribute to their pensions. The bill also amends the state's property tax levy calculation procedures, outlining how local governments determine their maximum mill levies based on factors like prior year assessments and newly taxable property. It specifically exempts certain levies, such as those funding the sheriffs' retirement system, from these new

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReinstates employer pension contributions, increasing state spending on public employee retirement systems, supporting fiscal responsibility for essential programs.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReinstates employer pension contributions for public employees, protecting retirement benefits which fall under employment standards and worker benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Property Tax Public Employees Retirement Benefits

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 29, 2025

LC 4164: Authorize transfers and other necessary measures to implement HB 2-Section B

This bill amends Montana law to implement funding and reporting requirements for behavioral health services and hospital reimbursements. It expands the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund to include one-time funding for additional beds at the Montana State Hospital and student loan repayment programs for nurses, LPNs, and psychiatrists at state facilities (prioritizing Montana State Hospital staff). The bill mandates monthly reports on Montana State Hospital hiring efforts and quarterly reports on school and community treatment services for children. Additionally, it directs 2% of hospital utilization fee revenue to support rural critical access hospitals and provide incentive payments to hospitals meeting efficiency and patient-centered care standards.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates one-time funding for behavioral health services, hospital beds, and staff loan repayments under state finance appropriations, directly advancing public service funding.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands behavioral health funding, adds hospital beds, and provides student loan repayment for healthcare workers at state facilities, directly advancing mental health services and workforce access.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds student loan repayment for nurses, LPNs, and psychiatrists at state facilities, directly supporting workforce recruitment/retention in healthcare labor.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

died · Montana · Legislature May 22, 2025

LC 4031: Revise reimbursement and procedures for paid time off relating to continuing education credits for teachers

Bill LC 4031 proposed revisions to the existing system for teachers to utilize paid time off for continuing education credits. It aimed to update both the procedures for taking such leave and the reimbursement mechanisms associated with it. The bill sought to modify how educators access and are compensated for time spent on professional development and obtaining further certifications.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill revises paid time off for teacher continuing education, enhancing professional development support and compensation for educators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill revises paid time off procedures for teachers' continuing education, enhancing professional development benefits and improving access to employment-related compensation for educators.90% confidence

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 346: Exempt Commerce grants and loans from MEPA

HB 346 exempts various grant and loan programs from environmental review requirements under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). This bill directly affects the Department of Commerce, Board of Housing, and other commissions by removing the need for environmental assessments when authorizing or administering these specific programs. The exemptions apply to programs supporting microbusiness development, historic preservation, workforce training, housing finance, and other economic development initiatives. This aims to streamline the process for providing financial assistance through these identified programs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts Commerce programs from MEPA environmental reviews, weakening oversight and protections by removing required assessments for projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts housing finance programs from MEPA, facilitating implementation and supporting housing development as explicitly listed in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill exempts workforce training programs from MEPA reviews, facilitating faster implementation of employment-focused initiatives under Department of Commerce programs.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Conservation Historic Preservation Housing Finance Property Development Workforce Development

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 51: Increase MUS-RP supplemental contribution to TRS

HB 51 proposes to increase the supplemental employer contribution rate paid by employers within the Montana University System (MUS) to the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS). Currently, MUS employers contribute 4.72% of the total compensation for employees participating in the MUS Retirement Program. This bill would raise that contribution rate to 14.21%. The increased contributions are intended to help amortize the past service liability of the Teachers' Retirement System for university system members by July 1, 2033, with the changes taking effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIncreases retirement contributions for university teachers, strengthening teacher benefits within higher education funding system.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases employer retirement contributions (4.72% to 14.21%) for MUS teachers, expanding their retirement benefits as part of employment standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

Track

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 27, 2025

HB 511: Provide grant funding for firefighting training facilities

HB 511 creates a $5 million grant program to fund firefighting training facility projects for local fire departments in Montana. The bill provides grants for building, upgrading, or repairing training facilities and purchasing equipment, with limits of $250,000 per project and $500,000 per county. Applicants must provide a 1% cash or service match for grants over $25,000 and follow safety standards, while the Department of Military Affairs administers the program. Funding is authorized for the 2025-2029 biennium and expires June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $5M in state funds for firefighting training facilities via appropriations, advancing public safety funding through budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds firefighting training facilities with mandatory safety standards, directly improving workplace safety for firefighters (a labor sector) per Labor & Employment indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement

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signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 349: Revise TRS laws related to reemployment

HB 349 establishes a temporary program allowing certain retired members of the Teachers' Retirement System (TRS) to return to full-time work for the Superintendent of Public Instruction without losing their retirement benefits. To be eligible, retired teachers must have been receiving benefits for at least two months, have 27 or more years of service, and the Superintendent must certify an inability to find a non-retired qualified applicant for the position. These reemployed retirees can work for a maximum of five years and are exempt from standard earnings limits for retirees. The Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the employer, is required to make contributions to the TRS for these individuals. This act is effective immediately and terminates on June 30, 2031.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEnables experienced retired teachers to return to K-12 roles without losing benefits, supporting educator retention and school staffing needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows eligible retired teachers to return to full-time work without losing retirement benefits, expanding access to employment while preserving worker benefits.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 3001: Revising leave time for public employees who are veterans or in state active duty status

This bill revises leave policies for Montana public employees who are veterans or serving in state active duty. It requires time spent in state active duty to count toward annual and sick leave accrual, and increases sick leave for veterans with a 100% disability rating from 12 to 15 working days per year. Employees must provide VA verification to qualify for the enhanced sick leave rate. The changes directly affect public employees with military service or state active duty status, ensuring their service time is fully recognized in leave calculations.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentIncreases sick leave benefits for veterans (12→15 days) and counts state active duty toward leave accrual, expanding worker benefits for public employees with military service.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransIncreases sick leave for disabled veterans from 12 to 15 days, requiring VA verification. Directly expands benefits for veteran public employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave National Guard & Reserve Veteran Benefits Veteran Employment

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 27, 2025

LC 139: Create board of passenger ropeway safety

This bill creates a Board of Passenger Ropeway Safety to regulate ski lifts and similar systems in Montana. It requires all ski area operators to register their ropeways with the board through an application process, undergo periodic inspections, and comply with safety rules. The board, appointed by the governor and including ski industry representatives, will issue annual certificates, set safety standards, and collect registration fees. This directly affects ski area operators by imposing new registration and inspection requirements to enhance public safety.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety inspections and standards for ski lift operators, directly improving workplace safety for workers in this sector.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates safety board for ski lifts (transportation infrastructure), enforcing inspections and standards to enhance safety within transportation systems.95% confidence

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