All Roll Calls
Yes: 295 • No: 3
MontanaHB 65669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Revising the fund structure and use of employment security account
Sponsored By: Ken Walsh (Republican)
Signed by Governor
State FinanceLabor and EmploymentDiscrimination
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Limits on ESA transfers protect services
The law limits transfers from the employment security account to the unemployment insurance fund. The budget director must approve any transfer. A transfer cannot drop the account below the amount the legislature set for listed employment services. Sections 6 and 12 of Chapter 435, Laws of 2009, remain exceptions. The department can also shift appropriation authority between federal and state special revenue for employment services.
More ESA funding for training and reentry
The law lets the Department of Labor and Industry use the employment security account to run education and reentry programs. It can also pay to administer the Office of Community Service. It can fund enforcing anti-discrimination laws through the Commission for Human Rights. This supports training, reentry help, and worker protections. The law does not set who qualifies or program amounts.
Community Service Office moves to Labor
The law moves the Office of Community Service into the Department of Labor and Industry. The governor appoints the director after consulting the commission, and the director serves at the governor’s pleasure. The director must plan and coordinate programs, apply for grants, and ensure funds are used properly. This aims to improve coordination across service and volunteer programs.
ESA can pay revenue bond debt
The law allows the state to use employment security account money to pay principal, interest, and redemption premiums on 2009 employment security revenue bonds. This helps make bond payments on time. It can also leave less money for other employment services.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Ken Walsh
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Josh Kassmier
Republican • Senate
Willis Curdy
Democrat • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 3/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 98 • No: 1
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 97 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/24/2025HouseSigned by President
4/24/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/23/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/18/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/15/2025House3rd Reading
4/15/2025Senate2nd Reading
4/14/2025SenateCommittee Report
3/26/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
3/26/2025SenateHearing
3/19/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/17/2025Senate1st Reading
3/14/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/7/2025House3rd Reading
3/7/2025House2nd Reading
3/5/2025HouseCommittee Report
2/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
2/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Signed
2/28/2025HouseFiscal Note Received
2/28/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
2/27/2025HouseHearing
2/26/2025HouseHearing
2/26/2025HouseRereferred to Committee
2/25/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/16/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/28/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025
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