MontanaHB 42869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revising provisions related to workers compensation

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New employer rules for staffing and agents

The law clarifies who counts as the employer for workers’ compensation. Government‑funded nonprofits that place community service participants are treated as the employer for those placements. Approved fiscal agents designated as the payor who use public funds to pay workers are the employer; their clients are not. Religious groups paid by nonmembers for members’ construction or manufacturing work, or for off‑property farm work, are treated as the employer. When a business uses workers from another firm (not a temp service), it is presumed to be the employer for premiums and loss experience, and the law removes the listed rebuttal tests. These rules apply only to workers’ comp administration and do not create employment outside this law.

New funding rules for workers’ comp administration

Fees and penalties listed in law, including those under section 39‑71‑306, must be deposited into the Workers’ Compensation Administration Fund. When assessments use paid losses, medical costs over $200,000 per claim are not counted if those excess amounts are exempt from assessment. This lowers assessment shares tied to very large medical claims. It also directs more fee revenue into the fund to run the program.

Premium help for work‑based learning programs

The department can use the Workers’ Compensation Administration Fund to reimburse premiums for high‑quality work‑based learning programs under 39‑71‑319. If you run or hire for an approved program, you can apply to get premium costs paid back. The law does not state dollar limits here.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Morgan Thiel
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Gregg Hunter
Republican • Senate
Josh Kassmier
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 296 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 47 • No: 1

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 49 • No: 0

House vote • 2/25/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 100 • No: 0

House vote • 2/24/2025