All Roll Calls
Yes: 502 • No: 34
MontanaHB 51669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Move workers' compensation court to judicial branch
Sponsored By: Ken Walsh (Republican)
Became Law
CourtsJuries and JurorsWorkers' CompensationRetirementMoney Transfer
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Premium help for work-based learning
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Department of Labor and Industry can use the administration fund to pay back workers’ compensation premiums for high‑quality work‑based learning programs described in 39‑71‑319. This lowers costs for eligible program sponsors.
Workers’ comp cases move to judiciary
Beginning July 1, 2025, workers’ compensation cases move to a dedicated court in the Judicial Branch. The Montana Supreme Court oversees the court and pays the judge and staff from appropriations and the new Workers’ Compensation Court Fund. Money in the court fund only runs the court. By July 15 each year, the Department of Labor and Industry transfers to the court fund the amount lawmakers budgeted for the court. The judge and each employee keep their existing pay, leave, and other rights, and existing cases, rules, contracts, and property stay valid.
Workers’ comp judge: hiring, pay, retirement
Beginning July 1, 2025, the Governor appoints the workers’ compensation judge for a six-year term; vacancies are filled the same way. The judge must meet district judge qualifications, work full time, and may not practice law privately. The judge receives the same salary and other benefits as a district judge. Retirement is in the Montana Judges’ Retirement System by default. If the current judge is in the Public Employees’ Retirement System on July 1, 2025, they can choose to stay by writing to the board by October 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ken Walsh
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Andrea Olsen
Democrat • Senate
Willis Curdy
Democrat • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/17/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 1
House vote • 4/16/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 0
House vote • 4/12/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 39 • No: 11
House vote • 4/9/2025
AMD-HB0516.001.001 Curdy D/PASS
Yes: 46 • No: 1
House vote • 4/9/2025
Do Concur As Amended
Yes: 30 • No: 17
House vote • 3/3/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 95 • No: 2
House vote • 2/28/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 96 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/19/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/13/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
5/7/2025HouseSigned by President
5/6/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/2/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/22/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/18/2025House3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate
4/17/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Signed
4/17/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/16/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred
4/16/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
4/12/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/12/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Requested
4/11/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/11/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/11/2025SenateHearing
4/10/2025SenateRereferred to Committee
4/9/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred as Amended
4/9/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
4/9/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/20/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/20/2025SenateHearing
3/15/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/4/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/4/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
4/9/2025
Introduced
2/14/2025