MontanaHB 21069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise laws relating to unemployment insurance program collection rates and uses

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Became Law

Unemployment InsuranceRevenue, StateState Finance

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Tougher penalties for UI fraud

The law raises the stakes for lying on unemployment claims. If you knowingly give false information or hide facts, you must repay the benefits and pay a 50% department penalty. You can be disqualified from benefits for up to 52 weeks, and you cannot use benefits to pay the penalty. You do not have to repay benefits that were obtained more than five years before the department’s decision. Criminal cases can add up to an extra 100% penalty on top of restitution. Penalty money mainly goes to an integrity account and the unemployment insurance trust fund; unused integrity funds move to the trust fund at year-end.

New unemployment tax rates for employers

Starting October 1, 2025, Montana uses new unemployment insurance tax tables for employers. The tables set average tax targets of about 0.95% to 1.72% and fund‑to‑wage ratios from 0.0280 to 0.0200. Eligible employer rates run from about 0.00% up to around 3.42%, depending on class and schedule. Deficit employer rates run about 2.72% up to 6.12%. Your exact rate depends on your rate class and the schedule in effect.

Stronger identity checks for UI claims

Beginning October 1, 2025, the Labor Department checks unemployment claims every week. It uses an identity database and matches claims with jail, new‑hire, and motor vehicle records. Agencies share data under agreements, and the department reviews cases when new information could change eligibility. The motor vehicle agency may share Social Security numbers only to verify unemployment claims and prevent fraud.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Steve Fitzpatrick
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Carl Glimm
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 2

House vote • 3/26/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/21/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 2/5/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 1/29/2025