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MontanaHB 51669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Move workers' compensation court to judicial branch

Sponsored By: Ken Walsh (Republican)

Signed by Governor

CourtsJuries and JurorsWorkers' CompensationRetirementMoney Transfer

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New court for workers’ comp cases

Beginning July 1, 2025, workers’ compensation cases go to a new court under the Montana Supreme Court. The Governor appoints the judge to a six-year term. The judge works full time and cannot practice law privately. The Supreme Court runs the court and pays salaries and expenses using legislative appropriations and the Workers’ Compensation Court Fund. By July 15 each fiscal year, the Department of Labor and Industry transfers from the Workers’ Compensation Administration Fund an amount equal to the court’s appropriation. The judge and staff keep existing rights like pay, leave, retirement, and comp time. The Supreme Court takes the office’s property, contracts, and duties, and the Governor settles any property disputes.

Retirement choice for workers’ comp judge

Starting July 1, 2025, the workers’ compensation judge is in the Montana Judges’ Retirement System. If the judge is an active PERS member on that date, they can choose to stay in PERS. The judge must notify the Public Employees’ Retirement Board in writing by October 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Ken Walsh

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrea Olsen

    Democrat • Senate

  • Willis Curdy

    Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 509 • No: 36

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 98 • No: 1

House vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/12/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 39 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

Do Concur As Amended

Yes: 31 • No: 19

Senate vote • 4/9/2025

AMD-HB0516.001.001 Curdy D/PASS

Yes: 49 • No: 1

House vote • 3/3/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 95 • No: 2

House vote • 2/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 97 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/17/2025House

  9. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/17/2025House

  10. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/16/2025House

  11. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  12. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/12/2025Senate

  13. 3rd Reading

    4/12/2025Senate

  14. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/11/2025House

  15. Committee Report

    4/11/2025Senate

  16. Committee Executive Action

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Hearing

    4/10/2025Senate

  18. Rereferred to Committee

    4/9/2025Senate

  19. 2nd Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  20. 2nd Reading Motion to Amend

    4/9/2025Senate

  21. Committee Report

    3/20/2025Senate

  22. Committee Executive Action

    3/20/2025Senate

  23. Hearing

    3/15/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Committee

    3/4/2025Senate

  25. 1st Reading

    3/4/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    4/9/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/14/2025

    PDF

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