Bill

Bill > HB516


MT HB516

Move workers' compensation court to judicial branch


summary

Introduced
02/14/2025
In Committee
04/09/2025
Crossed Over
03/03/2025
Passed
04/18/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/13/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT TRANSFERRING THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION JUDGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY TO THE JUDICIAL BRANCH; PROVIDING FOR SUPERVISION AND ADMINISTRATION BY THE SUPREME COURT; CREATING A WORKERS' COMPENSATION COURT FUND AND PROVIDING FOR AN ANNUAL TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO THE FUND; PROVIDING FOR A TRANSITION; PROVIDING FOR A ONE-TIME ELECTION FOR THE CURRENT WORKERS' COMPENSATION JUDGE TO ELECT TO REMAIN IN THE JUDGE'S CURRENT RETIREMENT SYSTEM; AMING SECTIONS 2-15-1707, 19-5-301, AND 39-71-201, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.”

AI Summary

This bill transfers the workers' compensation judge from the Department of Labor and Industry to the Montana judicial branch, specifically under the supervision of the Supreme Court. The bill establishes a new Workers' Compensation Court, with the judge to be appointed by the governor for a 6-year term, similar to other judicial appointments. The judge must have qualifications equivalent to a district court judge and work full-time, without engaging in private legal practice. The Supreme Court will now supervise the workers' compensation court, paying expenses and salaries from a newly created Workers' Compensation Court Fund, which will receive annual transfers from the Department of Labor and Industry's workers' compensation administration fund. The bill also provides a transition plan ensuring that current personnel retain their existing rights, including potential retirement system options. Specifically, the current workers' compensation judge can elect to remain in their current public employees' retirement system by notifying the retirement board by October 1, 2025. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025, and are designed to integrate the workers' compensation judicial functions more closely with the state's broader judicial system while maintaining continuity of operations and personnel rights.

Committee Categories

Budget and Finance, Business and Industry

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Chapter Number Assigned (on 05/19/2025)

bill text


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