Bill > HB370

This bill provides a one-time appropriation of $65 million from Montana's general fund to the Highway Patrol Officers' Retirement System (HPORS) pension fund, effective July 1, 2025. The bill addresses an existing unfunded liability of $65,377,745 in the retirement system, which currently supports 225 active highway patrol members and 375 retirees and beneficiaries. The legislation notes that the state has a preliminary unassigned general fund balance of over $1 billion for fiscal year 2024, making this appropriation feasible. The purpose of the appropriation is to provide a supplemental contribution to help shore up the pension fund's financial stability, ensuring that current and future retired highway patrol officers receive their promised retirement benefits. The bill highlights the importance of the Montana Highway Patrol's mission to protect lives, property, and constitutional rights of people traveling on Montana's highways, and seeks to support the retirement system that serves these dedicated public safety professionals.

Government Affairs

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1462