[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122314,"mediaKeyId","2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171","parentId",2695300,"title","Lawmakers hear debate over SB 308 to raise workers' comp wage cap for higher-paid employees","audioSeconds",1740,"startMs",1821000,"endMs",3561000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171&start=1821&end=3561","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171/thumbnail_1821000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122314/Montana/Lawmakers-hear-debate-over-SB-308-to-raise-workers-comp-wage-cap-for-higher-paid-employees","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122314-69e057930a5e0a02d581b2a02e8c177f/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440402&Signature=bEoUSk~F0xUQ6-x~yFSiFQbstfl4aMs1knH~vDXV9yel3dDr5qfJOqFHI9wf9j5yFx~B8pHBjqN4i702ACybHUO4u4~~dMNZPGiTa0gZkuNFI~HYMM8wt4TD-j3DUvZKRmyrtDarPucnrXHppUIuvQzBTAvAi7SQj7511myaIMxNG-yIUI5BZjYnzuAnR3-n1w1XpqWr4URhe4aVUjP4eBnw7XLlEGLHt9p2WLyPzAiG9tYGMNuiZKyICJtAV97QLsHNkddmDqqDzQ1sIM44fJbmrtuM6HbaTjWbhf1HIgdHGB5yZRgG9KIjTjnhOfiyfmgJZeCXq79r0OwZ8cGwkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Finance and Claims held a fiscal-note hearing on Senate Bill 308, a proposal to change how wage loss benefits are calculated in Montana workers' compensation by increasing the annual income cap used to compute the weekly average from roughly $52,000 to $150,000.

Sponsor Senator Derek Harvey (Senate District 37) said the bill amends the weekly average so higher-wage workers would receive 66 2/3 percent of their actual wages up to $150,000 annual income rather than being capped at the lower figure. \"We're talking about money that's not going into workers' pockets because they got injured in the course of their job,\" Harvey said, emphasizing the bill is prospective only and not retroactive.

Proponents included Jake Brown of the Montana AFL-CIO, who said the fiscal note is a projection and that actual claim costs can exceed projections; he noted injured workers should not be “weaponized” by the system to force early returns to work. Dwayne Woke of IBEW Local 233 testified the bill addresses inequities for high-wage, high-risk workers. Supporters argued increased benefits for higher-paid workers encourage retention and reflect the state's growing number of higher-paying trades.

Opponents included Peter Strauss of the Montana Self Insurers Association, Kevin Bartsch of MSGIA (Montana School Group), and Rhonda Wiggers of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). They argued adding benefits will increase overall system costs and that premium increases will be borne by employers (including public employers and small businesses) in the form of higher workers' compensation premiums. Strauss cited actuarial studies used by NCCI that project a 6.5–7.7 percent immediate increase in system costs and estimated several million dollars in first-year effects.

Informational testimony from Quinlan O'Connor of the Department of Labor and Industry and Montana State Fund emphasized that plan distinctions (state fund, private carriers, self-insured employers) matter for actuarial projections and that self-insured entities do not report to NCCI in the same way as carriers.

Sponsor Harvey closed by saying the bill simply extends the existing 66 2/3 percent benefit to a higher wage bracket so higher-paid workers—many in construction trades—are not disadvantaged when injured at work. The committee recorded the hearing; no committee vote was taken during this session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Finance and Claims - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2025 09:59 - 11:53","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Finance and Claims held a fiscal-note hearing on Senate Bill 308, a proposal to change how wage loss benefits are calculated in Montana workers' compensation by increasing the annual income cap used to compute the weekly average from roughly $52,000 to $150,000.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122320,"Senate committee hears wide support for one-time $50M transfer to Housing Montana Fund in SB 405",993,816000,1809000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171&start=816&end=1809","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171/thumbnail_816000.jpg","/articles/6122320/Montana/Senate-committee-hears-wide-support-for-one-time-50M-transfer-to-Housing-Montana-Fund-in-SB-405","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122320-7272b529da190e387575d5cc70afb1e7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440402&Signature=n8G9efruVqsaLbTbNytMLQWFZjS4kpzcoUHonXHMrVaGTXs8JJoMPmSBVlHDlplUbPE3pWlVTJJkNP8yUZxkIA9D8KBNcIzbVtV0YxB-J8tH6eLXNRSUOwNwxPbTOObDgJQGfHDZJACCwG99uUBHGRDwpkjsWrclyvljC3oxhhygxpD3lJXw~epvQUs9KxF1cX3QVAKYef0A~6U1A1vgK0YNh56B9cBK9ww5ad8ZS8OI2jGLyQZiu301JTEvsEwywW84G2CtTPU5t1X1Q60rCkUYPOLQ9lq6VMBnm7VXpTdEszHvp91NVh2RaU0QbbO4jTCGdJ-zT3C--hXte6-7Tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance and Claims held a fiscal-note hearing on Senate Bill 405, which proposes a one-time transfer of $50,000,000 from the general fund to the Housing Montana Fund to provide gap financing for affordable and workforce housing projects across Montana.

Sponsor Senator Dave Fern (Senate District 2) said the fund acts as a revolving loan program and that the fiscal note shows the state would not incur ongoing operational costs for the fund. \"This fund already exists, and it works as a revolving fund,\" Fern said, adding the proposal anticipates rule updates to administer loans and that loan repayments and interest would sustain the fund.

An affordable-housing developer with Echo Enterprises and chair of the Montana Housing Coalition (identified in the record as representing developers) told the committee SB 405 would unlock 4% housing tax credits and provide the gap financing necessary to complete multifamily affordable projects. He told members the $50 million is meant to be fully directed to projects: \"This means that 100% of the $50,000,000 you make possible will go directly towards expanding housing opportunities rather than being absorbed by any bureaucratic overhead,\" he said.

Jennifer Olson, government affairs director for the Montana League of Cities and Towns, Jake Brown of ShelterWF, Melissa Shannon (representing Billings Chamber and Montana Chamber), Aiden Myhre (Kalispell Chamber), Maddie Tyson (insurance sector testimony), Daniel Cox (Montana Association of Realtors), Alissa Snow (Blackfeet Tribe / Fort Belknap / Chippewa Cree), Ella Smith (City of Missoula and Montana Community Action Network), Alison Corbin (Montana Economic Developers Association), Aubrey Godbey (Montana Budget and Policy Center), and Cheryl Cohen (executive director, Montana Board of Housing) all testified in support, emphasizing the program’s revolving-loan structure, ability to leverage federal tax credits, and the state-level scarcity of other funding sources.

Committee members asked fiscal-note clarifying questions. Cheryl Cohen confirmed the fund was created in 1999 and has received no prior state appropriations and currently holds roughly $300,000 from prior federal loan repayments; SB 405 would be the first state general-fund appropriation into the account. Cohen also clarified the fiscal note includes a proposed 1 FTE program specialist to be funded from proprietary (loan service) fees rather than additional general-fund dollars.

Senator Fern closed urging support; the committee received no formal opposition during the hearing. No committee vote on SB 405 was recorded during this session.","Senate Finance and Claims held a fiscal-note hearing on Senate Bill 405, which proposes a one-time transfer of $50,000,000 from the general fund to the Housing Montana Fund to provide gap financing for affordable and workforce housing projects across Montana.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122325,"Committee hears fiscal note on SB 345 addressing independent medical evaluations in workers' comp",516,291000,807000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171&start=291&end=807","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171/thumbnail_291000.jpg","/articles/6122325/Montana/Committee-hears-fiscal-note-on-SB-345-addressing-independent-medical-evaluations-in-workers-comp","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122325-abb1331c2ba0f737abfad69c85a409e3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440402&Signature=E9BVhajNZIroRtk6JRl2ND6zXcA19Rrr200WxTEbnRa8wlm7Wq0OoOc5TtquLvyUqiWRoBL7GYFnW~cRrActdxks7eisp8DTGCG82DnR1GvrtFezngfjClfWhXhsHj2NW5QNSHN892YlsIE413ZOt39RZVpGzPeRhmsWS9bMyC6Vi8U5CiVzgl8MZv1MbOI1hXUv4c39BS4LeC3FcVynNyWPBWtaw3qVPqUeS1gd4mwDznOLZnJbm6h2fL5mZA9JJ1Pu8ioHn2w1LSmTFJtXAol~HrE3GSFH4X5opZLWqToGxFI1mjB0C9bQ20wTFApMW1YOKyLGnQoakfWv3dYUkQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance and Claims opened a hearing on Senate Bill 345 on the bill's fiscal note, which addresses procedures and limited reimbursements related to independent medical evaluations (IMEs) for injured workers under Montana's workers' compensation system.

Sponsor Senator Greg Hertz, R-Polson, told the committee the discussion was limited to the fiscal note and expressed expectation that any financial effects would be minimal. \"If there is an increase, it'll probably be very minimal,\" Hertz said, urging members to expedite consideration.

Nick Mazanec of Montana State Fund, which contributed to the fiscal note, told the committee the primary fiscal effects would fall on Montana State Fund as an insurer. Mazanec said reimbursements could include temporary total disability benefits and ancillary costs such as day care for workers who travel for IMEs. He added these travel-related costs are difficult to quantify now and that the bill’s aim—faster, clearer IME-based determinations—could reduce claim costs by returning injured workers to work sooner.

Peter Strauss of the Montana Self Insurers Association and Kevin Bartsch of MSGIA (the Montana Schools Group) both told the committee they support the bill and the fiscal note's findings, saying the changes could produce administrative savings through clearer diagnosis and treatment while producing only minor additional expenses for travel and incidental benefits.

Quinlan O'Connor, chief legal counsel for the Department of Labor and Industry, served as an informational witness and confirmed his agency contributed to the fiscal note and was available to answer technical questions.

Committee questioning focused on the fiscal note’s assumption that greater access to IMEs increases efficiency. Mazanec explained that Montana’s geographic size and limited specialist availability can delay evaluations, treatment and return to work; earlier specialist input can reduce claim duration and costs.

The committee concluded the hearing with no formal action on the bill recorded during this session.","Senate Finance and Claims opened a hearing on Senate Bill 345 on the bill's fiscal note, which addresses procedures and limited reimbursements related to independent medical evaluations (IMEs) for injured workers under Montana's workers' compensation system.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122305,"Committee advances SB 253 (amended) and SB 318 in executive action",132,6100000,6232000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171&start=6100&end=6232","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171/thumbnail_6100000.jpg","/articles/6122305/Montana/Committee-advances-SB-253-amended-and-SB-318-in-executive-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122305-2aa34a3b4f786e2591df5f2782e93ba1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440402&Signature=XEPOYfVFYlXfANk-srGdCbPdKiSHv~AEXMPOoB4V6PfqjKrX829~baJEqYrmbC8t7F3UUlyWUp6BabOdexaaOKcajkBvEdws0l3b~sUWeScOYAuVcpCVvy9UDBOAR0dF3XryWmN6nqJHCaXjnqTgtJ6pK-GxaGxd86alk-dHdQJsI5oaRctSJXmw2VHAyI7i4UIHaPXMXisPRps8WUoq0e2Me2sij-kovIlLFGwxVafFTN1N7Sw3hv225mfZS~cYPRSG3SlKIsVrmE4eHQNGcu1Q7edxAfYEPbwpeMvn3gdJVdH9z-1IhoTPip9xrIb8hhqloFdfM-~hA4WF1ffgNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance and Claims conducted executive action and advanced two bills to the Senate floor during the session.

Senator Esp moved SB 253 (Senator Vinton) and proposed Amendment 001.001, which adds a legislative intent section directing the Department of Revenue to implement the act with one-half of a full-time equivalent position. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed SB 253 as amended on a voice vote; the record notes \"all proxies assumed as yes.\" The motion and amendment were part of the committee’s packet and the amendment language appears on page 6 of the amendment document.

The committee then moved SB 318 (Senator Lehi, subject matter: child custody law revision) and passed it on a voice vote; proxies were similarly recorded as yes. The committee chair announced both bills \"have passed Senate Finance and Claims\" and will proceed to the Senate floor.

No roll-call tallies were recorded in the hearing record; actions were by voice vote with proxies assumed as affirmative.","Senate Finance and Claims took executive action and passed two bills: SB 253, amended to include legislative intent language that Department of Revenue implement with 0.5 FTE, and SB 318, passed on voice vote. Both measures were reported out of committee to the Senate floor.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122309,"Bill to add PTSD as a compensable workers' comp injury for first responders draws emotional testimony and fiscal debate",2041,3704000,5745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171&start=3704&end=5745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695300-8428a495e3484f2f0ed22b14722d1171/thumbnail_3704000.jpg","/articles/6122309/Montana/Bill-to-add-PTSD-as-a-compensable-workers-comp-injury-for-first-responders-draws-emotional-testimony-and-fiscal-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122309-ea85aeca78aa923b8b76fedd5179a2d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440402&Signature=Eqmln3s7voSHl8fWpkogQ~dOiyMvhHZObaWiGIPFSDv-bu4sjmwpSv6OLDtieIfrZt8O-wqDFapHfmaphAhBBXfcfjy6HP5p9Gw6DUcKBEFnwHeDNuqpTPeDjtm4G9SHf7gCbbbnaPGJNB0w4eOgArj9YykEAzGft12gUQ7ZgPLCievKjxtN4LoYfJvCt1kAf0y9Vj5aiLuJpcINLRfFYgn0MYxx0f-FXH2iYu4DBClaIHmJ6BQ8MVTXZYzBI9biNljlQD7b3gvEDcGeLFO40vqeUqnug1GkLtegqO-aT0YbR0R1NR1ql5~Cxpb2dMT1Y-YUfVY67v-0Yg-Vcxqc9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Finance and Claims heard testimony on Senate Bill 394, a proposal to add post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a compensable work-related injury for a narrowly defined set of first responders. The sponsor framed the bill as narrow, limited to PTSD (not broader mental-health diagnoses), and targeted to specified job classes.

Sponsor Senator Cora Newman (Senate District 30) rebutted the fiscal note and said the committee should consider data from comparable states and studies showing early treatment reduces per-claim cost. \"The fiscal notes assumptions are overly conservative and not supported by real world data,\" Newman said, citing RAND and examples from Florida and Oregon to argue Montana’s impact would be far lower than the fiscal note's $1.07 million estimate.

Proponents emphasized both financial and human impacts. Carter Marsh of the Montana State Fire Fighters Association noted Montana State Fund’s announced rate decrease and dividend history as evidence of system solvency and urged passage. Dan Smith of the Montana Police Protective Association and the Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association said treating PTSD early saves money for departments and helps officers return to duty; he characterized the change as fiscally responsible and a matter of public safety and suicide prevention.

Opponents included Peter Strauss of the Montana Self Insurers Association, Kevin Bartsch (MSGIA), and representatives of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association. Strauss told the committee increasing benefits \"doesn't come for free,\" cited uncertainty in national data and actuarial challenges, and recommended studying alternative program models such as the Georgia approach that provides comparable benefits through health-insurance-like mechanisms.

Informational witnesses included Nick Mazanec (Montana State Fund) and Quinlan O'Connor (Department of Labor and Industry). Committee questioning covered claim frequency, per-claim cost variability, whether costs would be borne by municipalities and schools, and how short-term disability or health insurance interact with workers' compensation. Mazanec said classification codes and employer exposures determine who ultimately bears premium increases and that costs would generally be paid by the employer entities that carry those classification codes.

Sponsor Newman closed by stressing the bill's targeted scope, the potential cost savings from early treatment and reduced turnover, and personal stories from communities affected by first-responder suicides. No committee vote on SB 394 was recorded during this session.","Senate Bill 394 would make post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) a compensable workers' compensation injury for specified first responders. Sponsors and first-responder organizations argued early treatment reduces costs and saves careers; insurers and self-insured employers warned of uncertain long-term costs and urged study; sponsor offered an ","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers hear debate over SB 308 to raise workers' comp wage cap for higher-paid employees

Senate committee hears wide support for one-time $50M transfer to Housing Montana Fund in SB 405

Committee hears fiscal note on SB 345 addressing independent medical evaluations in workers' comp

Committee advances SB 253 (amended) and SB 318 in executive action

Bill to add PTSD as a compensable workers' comp injury for first responders draws emotional testimony and fiscal debate