All Roll Calls
Yes: 271 • No: 173
MontanaHB 1369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
State Employee Pay Plan
Sponsored By: John Fitzpatrick (Republican)
Became Law
AppropriationsPublic Officers and EmployeesUniversity System
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
13 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 6 mixed.
Bigger health contributions with tax cap
For Montana University System workers, the employer pays $1,080 a month starting July 1, 2025 and $1,107 starting July 1, 2026. For state employees and legislators, the employer pays $1,080 a month starting January 1, 2026 and $1,107 starting January 1, 2027. These amounts can be limited to avoid the federal 4980I excise tax on high-cost plans.
Legislator pay tied to state wages
For the 2027 session, each legislator’s pay equals 80% of Montana’s average hourly wage (average weekly wage divided by 40). For the 2029 session and after, pay equals 100% of that average hourly wage. Pay can rise or fall with the state average. The senate president and house speaker also get an extra $5 per day during session.
State worker raises in 2025–2026
The law locks in your base pay at the June 30, 2025 level going into fiscal year 2026. Your base pay then rises the first pay period including July 1, 2025 and again in July 2026 by $1.00 an hour or 2.5%, whichever is larger. If you are in a union, you get these raises only after your employer receives written notice that your unit ratified the contract. How the broadband pay plan is applied to your unit is open to bargaining.
Highway patrol pay set by surveys
Highway patrol base pay is set through the broadband plan using a labor market salary survey. The department completes the survey before January 1 of each odd-numbered year and finishes it at least six months before session. Results go to the budget office to guide salaries.
Legislator per diem and pay timing
During session, legislators get a daily allowance equal to the federal per diem for Helena, seven days a week. Payments pause if the legislature recesses for more than three days and resume when it reconvenes. The Department of Administration must offer every legislator the option to spread session pay over the two‑year term or part of it. This option changes only timing; per diem, mileage, special‑session pay, and interim pay stay the same.
One-time pay from 2023 already paid
For fiscal year 2023 only, the state paid a one-time lump sum in the first full pay period after April 11, 2023. Full-time workers received $1,040. Employees scheduled 20 to under 40 hours got $780. Employees scheduled under 20 hours got $520.
Funds to carry out raises and benefits
The law funds pay‑plan, benefit, and travel changes for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. It includes about $23.9 million General Fund in FY2026 and $48.0 million in FY2027 for the broadband pay plan (plus other funds). It adds group‑benefit funding ($1.83 million GF in FY2026 and $4.63 million GF in FY2027, plus other funds) and yearly travel‑reimbursement money ($94,189 GF plus other funds each year). It also sets aside contingency funds ($1.0 million GF plus other funds) for staffing and retirement costs and $75,000 for labor‑management training.
Plans can pay more for dependents
Group insurance plans are allowed to provide bigger employer contributions for employees with dependents. Plans are allowed, but not required, to do this.
School employer pays at least $10/month
If you work for a school district, your employer must pay at least $10 per month toward group benefits starting July 1, 2025.
No contribution under 20 hours or opt‑out
If you are part-time and regularly work under 20 hours a week, you are not eligible for the employer health contribution. If you choose not to enroll in the state plan, you also do not receive the contribution.
Clear travel reimbursement rules for staff
In Montana, hotels are paid at actual cost with a receipt. Meal limits are $8.25 breakfast, $9.25 lunch, $16.00 dinner, or 70% of the federal rate. Outside Montana, hotel and meal payments follow federal per‑diem maximums; a $12 nightly allowance applies to noncommercial, no‑receipt stays. The department can allow higher hotel or meal payments in special places or cases and can pay actual meal costs for DNRC wildfire firefighters. All state‑paid air travel must use the least‑cost class of service.
Unused health contributions go to reserves
Unused employer health contributions are moved into dedicated accounts. For state employees, the Department of Administration holds the funds. For self‑insured local governments, the local account holds them. The money can cover group losses or build reserves.
Local levies may cover higher benefits
Local governments (not schools) must pay at least $10 a month toward worker benefits and can levy property taxes above a base amount to fund higher contributions after a public hearing. That extra portion is not subject to the usual mill‑levy cap. This can help employees but may raise local tax bills.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
John Fitzpatrick
Republican • House
Cosponsors
John Esp
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/20/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 38 • No: 12
House vote • 3/19/2025
AMD-HB0013.002.005 Vinton D/PASS
Yes: 12 • No: 38
House vote • 3/19/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 37 • No: 13
House vote • 1/27/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 71 • No: 27
House vote • 1/24/2025
AMD-HB0013.002.001 Mercer DO PASS
Yes: 45 • No: 53
House vote • 1/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 68 • No: 30
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
3/27/2025HouseSigned by Governor
3/27/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
3/25/2025HouseSigned by President
3/25/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/24/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
3/21/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
3/20/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
3/20/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
3/19/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
3/19/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
2/26/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
2/25/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Printed
2/24/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Signed
2/22/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
2/21/2025HouseHearing
2/17/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/13/2025SenateFirst Reading
1/28/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
1/27/2025House3rd Reading Passed
1/27/2025House2nd Reading Passed
1/24/2025House2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
1/24/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
1/17/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
1/17/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
1/14/2025House
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 3)
3/20/2025
Enrolled
3/20/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
1/17/2025
Introduced
12/11/2024