All Roll Calls
Yes: 391 • No: 4
MontanaSB 31669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Revising disability retirement provisions for MPORS and FURS
Sponsored By: Daniel Zolnikov (Republican)
Became Law
RetirementFires and Fire ProtectionLaw Enforcement
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Disability pension formulas for police and firefighters
For municipal police: if disabled before 20 years, the benefit is 50% of final average pay. With 20+ years, the benefit is 2.5% of final average pay for each year of service. For firefighters: if disabled before 20 years, the benefit is 50% of highest average pay. With 20+ years, the benefit is 2.5% per year of highest average pay, but not less than 50%. The same formulas apply for line-of-duty and non-line-of-duty disabilities. If the member dies while on disability retirement, a spouse or dependent child can receive survivor benefits under state law.
Police and firefighter disability status stays at retirement
For MPORS and FURS members, a disability retirement stays a disability retirement at normal retirement age. The law removes the medical exam at that time.
Retroactive line-of-duty coverage through Jan 1, 2025
The law applies retroactively for MPORS and FURS members disabled in the line of duty on or before 2025-01-01. Eligible members and survivors can receive benefits under the updated rules.
New disability claim rules for police and firefighters
You must apply for disability retirement within 4 months after your job ends, unless you were disabled the whole time. A department head, another person, or the board can file for you. Employers must list essential job tasks, explain ADA accommodations, and report how well they worked. The board can order medical exams, hold hearings, and issue subpoenas for records. The board also hires medical advisers to review conditions.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Daniel Zolnikov
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/18/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 2
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/24/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 47 • No: 2
Senate vote • 2/21/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
4/29/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/24/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/22/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
4/18/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
4/17/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/11/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/27/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/27/2025HouseHearing
3/5/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/25/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/25/2025HouseTransmitted to House
2/24/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
2/24/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
2/21/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
2/19/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
2/19/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
2/19/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
2/18/2025SenateFiscal Note Received
2/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/22/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/27/2025
Introduced
2/13/2025