All Roll Calls
Yes: 363 • No: 31
MontanaSB 6469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Clarifying calculation of legislator compensation and expenses during the interim
Sponsored By: Pat Flowers (Democrat)
Became Law
Legislature
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
Pay and rules for legislators on interstate bodies
The Legislative Council appoints legislators to interstate, international, and intergovernmental bodies and must appoint to any Pacific Northwest Economic Region policy committee. When more than one legislator is appointed, the appointees must be split evenly between the majority and minority parties. The Senate President, House Speaker, and both minority leaders can recommend nominees, and vacancies are filled the same way as the original appointment. If Council funds are available, appointed legislators may be paid the standard daily salary and have travel covered under state travel rules. Members appointed to the Pacific Northwest Economic Region are entitled to that salary and travel reimbursement.
Interim pay and travel for legislators
When the Legislature is not in session, approved remote work pays one full day’s salary for each 24-hour period. For approved in-person meetings, pay and expenses depend on round‑trip miles from your home: 100 miles or less gets one day’s pay, mileage, and one midday meal. More than 100 and less than 400 miles gets two days’ pay, mileage, two morning, two midday, and two evening meals, and two nights of lodging at the federal rate. 400 miles or more gets three days’ pay, mileage, three morning, three midday, and three evening meals, and two nights of lodging at the federal rate. For each extra consecutive meeting day, 100 miles or less adds one day’s pay, mileage, and one midday meal; more than 100 miles adds one day’s pay, one morning, one midday, and one evening meal, and one more night of lodging. You cannot claim an extra day if your longer stay is for business that is not authorized interim work. All payments require prior approval by the funding authority.
Meal rules for state workers and appointees
State employees get meal allowances only when in travel status for more than 3 straight hours during set windows: morning (12:01 a.m.–10:00 a.m.), midday (10:01 a.m.–3:00 p.m.), or evening (3:01 p.m.–12:00 midnight). If travel stays within your travel shift (one hour before through one hour after your normal work shift), you can get only one meal. If travel starts before or ends after your travel shift and the trip is under 24 hours, you can get up to two meals. Appointed members of state boards, commissions, or councils and members of legislative subcommittees, select, or interim committees get a midday meal on meeting days, no matter how close the meeting is to home or headquarters. This midday meal does not apply to legislative committee members during a legislative session. The Department of Administration sets the policies.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Pat Flowers
Democrat • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/26/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/25/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 49 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/20/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 90 • No: 8
Senate vote • 3/19/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 98 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 39 • No: 10
Senate vote • 2/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 38 • No: 10
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/17/2025SenateSigned by Governor
4/16/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/8/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/7/2025HouseSigned by President
4/1/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
3/28/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
3/26/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
3/26/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
3/25/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
3/20/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
3/20/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
3/19/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
2/21/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
2/21/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/7/2025HouseHearing
2/7/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/7/2025HouseTransmitted to House
2/6/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
2/6/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
2/5/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
1/24/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
1/24/2025SenateHearing
1/18/2025SenateFiscal Note Printed
1/15/2025SenateFiscal Note Signed
1/14/2025Senate
Bill Text
As Amended (Version 3)
3/21/2025
Enrolled
3/21/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/21/2025
Introduced
12/16/2024