Bill > HB13

This bill revises several aspects of state employee compensation and benefits for Montana. It updates the broadband pay plan by changing salary increases for state employees to $1.00 per hour or 2.5% (whichever is greater) in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, removing previous one-time lump-sum payments. The bill increases the employer contribution for group benefits from $1,054 to $1,080 per month beginning January 2026, and then to $1,107 per month in January 2027. For legislators, the bill establishes a new method of calculating legislative salaries based on the average hourly wage in Montana: starting in January 2027, legislators will be paid 80% of the state's average hourly wage, and from January 2029 onward, they will be paid the full average hourly wage. The bill also updates per diem and travel reimbursement rates for state employees, aligning them more closely with federal standard rates for meals and lodging. Additionally, the bill includes appropriations to various state agencies to implement these compensation changes, with funding allocated from general, state special, federal special, and proprietary funds. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and are designed to provide competitive compensation and benefits for state employees across different branches of government.

Budget and Finance

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0718