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MontanaHB 8569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Reinstating former employer contributions for JRS, HPORS, SRS, GWPORS

Sponsored By: Marta Bertoglio (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Public Officers and EmployeesRetirement

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

More state money for patrol pensions

The state pays 38.33% of highway patrol pay into retirement, split as 28.15% from regular appropriations and 10.18% from the general fund. Each year starting July 1, 2023, the treasurer transfers $500,000 to the highway patrol pension fund by August 15, stopping only when the plan is 100% funded by the actuary. For the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, the law also provides one-time general fund appropriations of $4.01 million and $713,013 to cover employer costs. The statute that authorizes these payments is added to the list of permanent statutory appropriations, making the funding automatic under law.

Sheriffs' pension rates and possible cut

The law sets sheriffs' member contributions at 10.495% of pay. The rate must drop to 9.245% on the next July 1 if two tests are met: the latest actuarial study shows the plan pays off in under 25 years, and cutting rates will not push payoff over 25 years. Employers must pay 9.535% of pay plus extra 0.58% and 3.00% until the plan is stronger. The board reviews the extra charges each year and they end only if removing them keeps the payoff at 25 years or less.

Judges' pension employer rate trigger

The state's employer contribution to the Judges' Retirement System is 0% of pay. For the chief water court judge, the state pays monthly from a natural resources operations special revenue account. If the judges' plan funded ratio falls below 120% in the most recent actuarial study, the employer rate increases to 25.81%.

Standard payoff timelines for pensions

Retirement boards must set unfunded liability payments as a level share of salaries to pay off within 30 years or less. The law removes earlier special payoff rules for judges, highway patrol, sheriffs, and game wardens systems.

Counties can levy for sheriffs' pensions

Counties may raise a property tax to fund required sheriffs' employer pension payments when general revenue is not enough. This levy does not need voter approval and is not limited by the usual mill cap, but a public hearing is required. A levy used to fund the sheriffs' retirement is specifically allowed under the property tax rules. Homeowners in affected counties may see higher property tax bills.

Game wardens' employer pension rate set

Employers must pay 10.56% of pay for members of the Game Wardens' and Peace Officers' Retirement System. The Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks must request budget funds to cover the state's share.

Pension changes timing and retroactivity

Most of the act takes effect July 1, 2025. Sections 6 through 9 and 12, and the dates section, take effect on passage and approval. Employer contribution rate changes for highway patrol, sheriffs, and game wardens apply back to July 1, 2023.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Marta Bertoglio

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 409 • No: 85

House vote • 4/22/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 83 • No: 15

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 96 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 29 • No: 20

Senate vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 27 • No: 23

House vote • 1/31/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 93 • No: 6

House vote • 1/22/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 81 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/16/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/12/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/5/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/2/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/1/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/24/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/22/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/22/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments

    4/18/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/15/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Committee Report

    4/14/2025Senate

  13. Committee Executive Action

    4/14/2025Senate

  14. Hearing

    4/12/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    4/11/2025Senate

  16. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/11/2025House

  17. Rereferred to Committee

    4/10/2025Senate

  18. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025Senate

  19. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/9/2025House

  20. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/9/2025House

  21. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/7/2025House

  22. Committee Report

    4/5/2025Senate

  23. Committee Executive Action

    4/4/2025Senate

  24. Hearing

    3/25/2025Senate

  25. Referred to Committee

    2/18/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/22/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/5/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    1/17/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    12/16/2024

    PDF

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