Labor & Employment

vetoed · Montana · House Jun 16, 2025

HB 901: Create a fire department health and safety grant program

This bill establishes a state grant program to help Montana fire departments purchase safety equipment and improve health and safety conditions for firefighters. The program allows eligible fire departments, companies, or districts to apply for up to $10,000 in grants for items such as personal protective equipment, saunas, shower facilities, and cleaning devices for gear. Funding comes from charitable donations and a $10 nonrefundable application fee paid by each applicant, with priority given to departments with smaller budgets, those in rural areas, and those serving diverse regions of the state. The bill also authorizes the state disaster and emergency services division to administer the program and adopt rules to implement it.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides grants to improve firefighter safety equipment and health conditions, directly supporting workplace safety and worker protection.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 94: Generally revise public sector unions law

SB 94 prohibits Montana public employers from using public funds or resources for labor organization activities, directly affecting public sector workers like teachers and school staff. It bans contributions of public money to unions or paid leave for union work, but allows unpaid time off for such activities and permits using accrued personal leave under specific conditions. The bill requires unions to cover costs for paid leave used in union activities through annual invoices to public employers and mandates reporting on time spent on union-related work. These changes aim to limit public funding for union operations while establishing clear administrative procedures.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts public funding for teacher unions, limiting their ability to advocate for educator benefits and resources, directly impacting K-12 education support.85% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits public funds for union activities, requiring unions to cover costs, weakening collective bargaining support for public sector workers.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 454: Revise tow truck regulation laws

SB 454 proposes significant revisions to Montana's commercial tow truck regulations. It establishes new classification standards for tow trucks (Classes A-E) based on equipment capacity and chassis requirements, replacing previous ratings. The bill also mandates certification for operators (75% of employees for companies, or 1 year of experience for individuals), requires equipment to meet updated safety standards, and clarifies requirements for participating in the law enforcement rotation system. These changes directly affect tow truck operators, companies, and the Montana Highway Patrol, which oversees inspections and classification. The bill was introduced in 2025 but died in committee without becoming law.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires updated safety standards for tow truck equipment, strengthening workplace safety for operators.80% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationUpdates tow truck safety standards and operator certification, enhancing vehicle regulation compliance within transportation infrastructure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 295: Restoring the right for injured worker to choose their own doctor.

SB 295 would restore Montana injured workers' right to choose their own treating physician for initial treatment and ongoing care under workers' compensation, without being forced to use a managed care organization (MCO) or preferred provider organization (PPO) without consent. The bill requires insurers to allow workers to select a physician from a designated list for initial treatment and to change physicians with the insurer's approval (with mediation available if approval is denied). It also mandates that insurers provide individual written notice (not workplace postings) before referring workers to an MCO or PPO. This directly affects injured workers seeking medical treatment for work-related injuries in Montana, giving them more control over their healthcare decisions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestores injured workers' right to choose treating physician, improving healthcare access without insurer-imposed MCO/PPO restrictions.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRestores injured workers' right to choose physicians under workers' comp, protecting healthcare access and advancing labor rights without forced MCO/PPO use.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

Track

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 621: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables peer support programs for first responders, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables peer support programs for first responders' mental health, expanding access to mental health services as a core healthcare component.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes mandatory peer support programs for first responders, enhancing workplace mental health and safety protections through confidentiality and written policies, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 807: Prohibiting vaccines allowed under an emergency use authorization or undergoing safety trials to be required

HB 807 amends state law to prohibit individuals from being required to receive certain vaccines. Specifically, it mandates that vaccines whose use is allowed under an emergency use authorization (EUA) or those still undergoing safety trials cannot be a requirement. This applies to persons, governmental entities, employers, and public accommodations, preventing them from denying services, employment, or access based on non-receipt of such vaccines. The bill integrates this new prohibition into existing law concerning discrimination based on vaccination status.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill prohibits mandatory EUA/trial vaccines, restricting public health mandate enforcement in healthcare programs per its explicit language.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentPrevents employers from denying employment based on non-receipt of EUA/vaccine trial vaccines, protecting workers' rights against mandatory unapproved medical requirements in the workplace.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 769: Revise labor law relating to computation of meal allowances

HB 769 revises the calculation of meal allowances for certain employees, specifically those who work night-shift hours. The bill amends existing state law to establish new timeframes for evening, midnight, and early morning meal allowances for night-shift employees. These allowances are applicable when an employee is traveling for more than three continuous hours during the specified night-shift periods. The bill also maintains existing provisions for non-night-shift employees and general eligibility rules based on an employee's travel shift.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRevises meal allowance calculation for night-shift workers during travel, clarifying entitlements under employment standards without weakening existing protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 326: Generally revise laws related to MEDIA Act film tax credits

SB 326 revises Montana's MEDIA Act film tax credits, extending them through 2045 and increasing the aggregate credit limit. The bill provides additional tax credits for production companies that hire veterans and enrolled tribal members. It establishes a fee for unused allocated credits, with these funds directed to a new film industry workforce training account to support workforce development. These changes aim to expand job opportunities and encourage investment in Montana's media manufacturing sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExtends film tax credits through 2045, increases credit limits, adds credits for veteran/tribal hiring, and uses fees to fund workforce training - expanding tax incentives and directing funds for industry development.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides tax credits for hiring veterans/tribal members and funds workforce training, directly expanding employment opportunities and supporting labor development.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill provides tax credits for hiring veterans, directly incentivizing veteran employment through legislative funding mechanism.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 316: Revising disability retirement provisions for MPORS and FURS

SB 316 revises disability retirement benefit provisions for members of the Municipal Police Officers' Retirement System (MPORS) and the Firefighters' Unified Retirement System (FURS). It specifies that disability retirement benefits for these members will remain disability benefits, rather than converting to service retirement, once they reach normal retirement age, and will no longer require medical examinations. The bill also clarifies the calculation of line-of-duty disability benefits based on years of service. These changes apply retroactively to MPORS and FURS members who became disabled in the line of duty on or before January 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentClarifies disability retirement benefits remain secure without medical exams for police/firefighters, protecting their employment-related retirement benefits.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 346: Exempt Commerce grants and loans from MEPA

HB 346 exempts various grant and loan programs from environmental review requirements under the Montana Environmental Policy Act (MEPA). This bill directly affects the Department of Commerce, Board of Housing, and other commissions by removing the need for environmental assessments when authorizing or administering these specific programs. The exemptions apply to programs supporting microbusiness development, historic preservation, workforce training, housing finance, and other economic development initiatives. This aims to streamline the process for providing financial assistance through these identified programs.

Topics ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentExempts Commerce programs from MEPA environmental reviews, weakening oversight and protections by removing required assessments for projects.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExempts housing finance programs from MEPA, facilitating implementation and supporting housing development as explicitly listed in bill summary.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill exempts workforce training programs from MEPA reviews, facilitating faster implementation of employment-focused initiatives under Department of Commerce programs.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Labor & Employment