MontanaHB 76969th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise labor law relating to computation of meal allowances

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Midday meal for appointed members at meetings

If you are an appointed member of a state board, commission, council, or a legislative subcommittee or select or interim committee, you get a midday meal allowance on any day you attend a meeting. This applies no matter how close the meeting is to your home or headquarters. It does not apply to legislative committee members during a legislative session.

Set meal allowance windows for state travel

The law sets clear time windows to claim meal allowances while traveling. For day shifts: morning is 12:01 a.m.–10:00 a.m., midday is 10:01 a.m.–3:00 p.m., and evening is 3:01 p.m.–12:00 midnight. For night shifts: evening is 12:01 p.m.–10:00 p.m., midnight is 10:01 p.m.–3:00 a.m., and early morning is 3:01 a.m.–12:00 noon. You must be in travel status for more than 3 continuous hours during the window. The Department of Administration sets policies to run these rules across state government.

Caps on meal allowances per trip

The law limits how many meal allowances you can claim on a single trip. If all travel is within your assigned travel shift, you can claim only one meal. If travel starts before or ends after your shift and the trip is 24 hours or less, you can claim up to two meals. Your "travel shift" is from 1 hour before to 1 hour after your normal work shift.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Eric Matthews
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Janet Ellis
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 283 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

Senate vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 95 • No: 4

House vote • 3/6/2025