Labor & Employment (Public Employees)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 1366: Revise labor laws relating to employers and public service

This bill prevents employers from stopping employees from running for or accepting public office at the city, county, or state level. It also protects workers from retaliation or discrimination if they pursue these public positions. The law requires employers to allow employees on mandatory public service leave to use their own leave time and benefits without permission, and it prohibits requiring work during that leave. Additionally, if an employer permits personal use of company equipment like phones or computers, employees may continue using them while serving in public office. These rules apply to all employers within Montana and aim to remove barriers for workers considering public service roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects workers' rights by preventing employer retaliation when pursuing public office and ensuring paid leave for public service.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 700: Changing the amortization period for statewide DB retirement systems to 25 years

House Bill 700 (HB 700) proposes to shorten the maximum amortization period for statewide defined benefit public employee retirement systems from 30 years to 25 years. This change directly affects the funding requirements for various public employee retirement plans, including those for general public employees, judges, highway patrol officers, sheriffs, police officers, firefighters, and teachers. The bill specifies that contributions must be sufficient to cover future benefits and amortize unfunded liabilities over this shorter 25-year period. Additionally, it establishes that no new benefits can be added to these systems unless they can amortize within 25 years or less and are projected to be fully funded.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesShortens amortization period to 25 years, requiring higher annual state contributions to fund retirement systems, promoting fiscal responsibility in budget management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentShortens retirement amortization period to protect public employee benefits (e.g., teachers, police) by ensuring faster funding of unfunded liabilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Pensions Public Employees Retirement Benefits

Track

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

signed · Montana · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 13: State Employee Pay Plan

HB 13 revises pay and benefits for all Montana state employees, including a $1.00 hourly or 2.5% base salary increase (whichever is greater) effective July 1, 2025, plus one-time lump-sum payments based on work hours: $1,040 for full-time employees, $780 for 20-40 hours/week, and $520 for under 20 hours/week. It also adjusts per diem rates for travel, increasing daily meal allowances to $8.25 (breakfast), $9.25 (lunch), and $16.00 (dinner) for in-state travel. The bill applies broadly to all state employees and was enacted into law on March 27, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state employee compensation and travel allowances, directly raising government spending under appropriations and public employee budgets.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases state employee wages (2.5% or $1/hr min) and adds lump-sum payments ($520-$1,040), directly advancing compensation standards for public workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1409: Create a public employee bill of rights

This bill (LC 1409), titled "Create a public employee bill of rights," was proposed to establish specific rights for state and local government employees. The bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage, as it was placed on hold in February 2025 and ultimately died in process on May 26, 2025. No concrete policy provisions were enacted, as the bill did not reach a vote or committee hearing. Therefore, it did not directly affect any public employees or create new legal protections. The proposal was procedural in nature but never became law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill explicitly aims to establish public employee rights, aligning with worker protection indicators despite not advancing to vote.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 823: Revise laws relating to the state plan committee

HB 823 revises the State Plan Committee, which oversees career and technical education in Montana. It expands the committee by adding three new members appointed by the Commissioner of Labor and Industry, representing the state workforce innovation board, business, and labor communities. The bill also coordinates the committee's meetings with the Montana State Workforce Innovation Board and requires its state plan to align with the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act combined state plan.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAdds labor community representatives to workforce committee, aligning with federal labor frameworks to strengthen worker input in education planning.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Employees

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 667: Revise labor laws relating to employers and public service

HB 667 revises labor laws regarding employees who seek or hold public office. It prohibits employers from restricting employees from seeking election or appointment to city, county, or state public office, or from retaliating against them for doing so. During an employee's mandatory leave of absence for public service, employers cannot require the employee to use personal leave or benefits without their consent, nor can they require them to perform work. If an employer generally permits personal use of company devices, they cannot prohibit an employee on public service leave from using those devices for personal reasons.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProhibits employer retaliation for seeking public office and protects mandatory leave rights without requiring personal leave use or work performance, directly advancing workers' rights under Labor & Employment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Paid Leave Public Employees