All Roll Calls
Yes: 391 • No: 0
MontanaSB 48769th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Revising laws related to the Montana end of watch trust
Sponsored By: Barry Usher (Republican)
Became Law
Law EnforcementRule Making
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.
COBRA health coverage for officers' families
Local government employers must enroll catastrophically injured officers, their spouses, and dependents in COBRA. If an officer dies in the line of duty, the spouse and dependents are enrolled. The employer pays the COBRA premium for the first four months. Coverage and premiums must match what similar members in the plan get. Plans can end coverage only for nonpayment, fraud or intentional misrepresentation, or if the plan stops being offered.
Monthly payments after line-of-duty harm
The law pays 60 monthly checks after a line‑of‑duty death or catastrophic injury. You get $7,000 each month for the first 12 months. Beginning July 1, 2025, that base can rise each year by the smaller of the consumer price index (CPI) or 3%. From months 13 through 60, the check equals the adjusted $7,000 minus half of workers’ comp and half of state retirement received each month. Payments go first to a surviving spouse until remarriage or death, then to dependent legal children under 18 in equal shares, and end after 60 total months.
How the trust is funded
The law creates a permanent End of Watch Trust and a special revenue account for earnings. The state’s Board of Investments invests the trust. The Department of Justice can accept gifts and legislative transfers. Each month, realized earnings move to the special account to pay obligations. If earnings fall short, unexpended interest may be used and the general fund must repay the trust the next fiscal year. The Department of Justice may take up to 15% of appropriated interest and earnings to cover administration costs.
Who qualifies and required paperwork
Only the officer or the officer’s immediate family can get payments, and only after the board approves the application. You can appeal a denial under the state’s contested‑case rules. Each year, the payee must file an eligibility form within 30 days of the first‑payment anniversary or payments stop. A surviving spouse must tell the board about remarriage within 30 days so payments can be reassigned by law. Before any money is paid, the applicant must list the names and birth dates of all dependent legal children who were under 18 at the time of the harm. Payments are protected from creditors and depend on legislative appropriation. The law also defines who counts as a covered officer, “catastrophic injury,” and “immediate family.”
New board to run the trust
A five‑member volunteer board at the Department of Justice oversees the trust. Four seats come from named law enforcement groups, and those members must be sworn officers. The board meets at least once a year, reviews applications, decides eligibility, settles benefit disputes, and reviews the fund’s annual investment report. The Department sets rules for payments, appeals, records, training, and reporting.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Barry Usher
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 46 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/1/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/31/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/1/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/22/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseSigned by President
4/13/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/5/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/5/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
4/5/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
4/4/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Printed
4/3/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
4/2/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/1/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/1/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/1/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
3/31/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/27/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/27/2025HouseHearing
3/19/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/17/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/7/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/6/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
3/6/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
3/6/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
3/5/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/5/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/27/2025
Introduced
2/25/2025