[{"_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",6118845,"mediaKeyId","2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04","parentId",2715926,"title","House committee hears bill to require insurer acceptance of automaker repair procedures","audioSeconds",4361,"startMs",950000,"endMs",5311000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04&start=950&end=5311","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04/thumbnail_950000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6118845/Montana/House-committee-hears-bill-to-require-insurer-acceptance-of-automaker-repair-procedures","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118845-8de1dd0693f154c8ef2ade846734b909/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151487&Signature=RtJWTeQP6UL2YBQlLr8XSgVGWD9WyhUaGNvwOXbRTHOPZzhzQCWiSUQLPLYPTBvmgn56sNaiL7vp1ivsMSQ~YeydH0V0NKZpMu8M8yGBkCtxpWEw84XQVYHTnvN-5S-rRP51OwIs-2TKxGKg5MsB7wzVU7Hh8xla~xMJ8EFhWnq9f1Eoeajy9Jh3E52Z2QIrTXsZDIolBzpC-Jj-cjaVIhecxMBWly93cL04omV5Y85A8ImUTKy4edph7Ydh2TTChsf3LX1R1Umov3YrSIUYqxK0OhYN-uS55GWSNE-OwShHp2RL9Mt6ezL-yBEAZFIKrRE563szO-iTk6P2uS97AQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-20T00:00:00Z","article","Senate Bill 356, introduced in House Business and Labor by Sen. Barry Usher, drew hours of testimony on whether insurance companies should be required to accept automakers’ repair procedures and safety inspections when vehicles are repaired after collisions.

Proponents told the committee that modern vehicles — with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), mixed materials and specific post‑collision calibration needs — require repairs aligned with manufacturer procedures to restore vehicles to their pre‑accident safety condition. John McDonald of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation said automakers provide the only comprehensive, crash‑tested repair procedures and cited a $42,000,000 jury verdict in Texas that he said arose from improper prior repairs. “Consumers buy insurance to be made whole after an accident,” McDonald said, and he asked the committee to give insureds “the expectation” that OEM procedures will be followed.

Collision‑repair business witnesses — including Drew Geiger of the Montana Collision Repair Association, Bruce Halcro (Capital Collision Center), Paul Flores (Rick’s Auto Body) and several independent shop owners — described how shops use technical service manuals, how ADAS calibrations are common (testimony estimated ADAS work on roughly 60% of repair vehicles coming into shops) and that some OEM inspection procedures can run dozens of pages for a model. Zach Yates of Yates Body Shop described repair workflows and said shops routinely include OEM tasks in estimates but face denials from adjusters for labor items.

Opponents — primarily insurance industry representatives including Greg Van Horsten of State Farm, Amy Grimales of the APCIA and Bruce Spencer of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies — said existing insurance contracts already require returning vehicles to “pre‑accident condition” and that mandating acceptance of OEM procedures would increase insurance costs and premiums. Van Horsten told the committee insurers balance returning cars to pre‑accident condition with keeping premiums affordable. APCIA attorney Amy Grimales and others pointed to Montana’s high average paid claim and labor rates and urged caution about large, across‑the‑board mandates. Representatives of aftermarket parts suppliers (LKQ) and the Auto Care Association also opposed the bill, saying it would restrict consumer choice of alternative parts despite proponents’ repeated denials.

Committee members pressed both sides on specifics: how often OEM procedures are actually needed, how repair shops document necessary tasks, and whether buyers can instead purchase higher‑tier policies that guarantee OEM parts. Witnesses cited recent regulatory and litigation examples and disagreed on whether the change would be limited to labor tasks and calibrations or would effectively force OEM‑only parts in practice.

No formal vote was recorded during the hearing. Sponsor Barry Usher closed by reiterating the bill’s stated focus on consumer safety and said he would work with members on language; he asked the committee for a “do pass.”","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Business and Labor - Thursday, Mar 20, 2025 07:56 - 11:53","oneSentenceSummary","Senate Bill 356, introduced in House Business and Labor by Sen. Barry Usher, drew hours of testimony on whether insurance companies should be required to accept automakers’ repair procedures and safety inspections when vehicles are repaired after collisions.","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},6118840,"Bill to allow physical therapists as workers' comp treating physicians draws mixed testimony",2824,5712000,8536000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04&start=5712&end=8536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04/thumbnail_5712000.jpg","/articles/6118840/Montana/Bill-to-allow-physical-therapists-as-workers-comp-treating-physicians-draws-mixed-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118840-290e942ea772fd7e5d8094762432ce77/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151488&Signature=oEn3V14MJP7rVJesk-1ZcFXV0ZvPJTvmHkvLcCVryjWFXJ1nppdXK9qDQ7nGl4hJcu5INY-KipoD3RiEkt0ku5I6M03iUj1XxrMHKNXU1VpYAeBFapNxoQ0Wg5rA0xuvLELS17B8sn0ZudRIR6wqUj0dJutTC6tsZBfjc5xqPGm01CdE-uLm5gLZ1vIgbumPSRtGaLQy2y1PkjsdG7oI7oMWME2RTZT~lfUJtZEo5RTyhes7Q2P0Nb4TYZ8dkxmdr4cLCOfaYzAvHCWPaIppCl3h3i-GLwoBwh7khpVbgpZZnJ4hqqKJyhAe-NgEfnSGkvlW-qC~rqk94HQfg8MT8A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 109, sponsored in the House by Sen. Greg Hertz, would add licensed physical therapists to the statutory list of treating physicians under Montana’s workers' compensation law, allowing PTs to serve as initial treating providers for appropriate workplace injuries.

Supporters — including the Montana chapter of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and firefighter and labor representatives — said the change would reduce delays in care and help injured workers return to work sooner. Sam Schmidt (APTA‑MT) described a case in which a patient waited almost two months for physical therapy under the current referral model; he said direct access would cut that time and lower overall cost. Emily Herndon, president of APTA‑MT, said physical therapists now hold doctoral degrees and routinely perform musculoskeletal evaluations, order imaging when indicated, and refer to other specialists.

Proponents cited published guidance and cross‑state practice: the transcript records proponents saying direct PT access exists in other jurisdictions and listing states that permit some form of direct access for workers' comp providers. Andy Zimmerman of Montana Professional Firefighters said earlier access to PT shortened a firefighter’s return to full duty from six weeks to a potential three to four weeks.

Opponents — including representatives of large self‑insured employers and insurers (Peter Strauss of the Montana Self Insurers Association; Amy Grimales for APCIA) — urged caution. They told the committee workers' compensation differs from private health care because of no deductibles, statutory prompt‑pay obligations and state requirements for impairment ratings and maximum medical improvement determinations. Opponents warned that allowing PTs to be treating physicians could delay referrals in some cases, increase utilization of PT services and raise costs; they recommended further study and pointed to existing provider shortages in some areas.

Department of Labor legal counsel Quinlan O’Connor and State Fund representative Nick Mazanec provided informational context about the claims process and the fiscal note; Mazanec said State Fund contributed to the fiscal note. Supporters and opponents agreed the issue is a policy choice balancing faster access to PT versus systemwide cost and administrative impacts. Sen. Hertz closed by noting research he said supports earlier PT access and by listing states that allow PTs to serve in a similar role. The committee did not record a vote during the hearing.","Senate Bill 109 would add licensed physical therapists to Montana’s statutory list of workers’ compensation treating physicians, allowing injured workers to seek PT care directly for appropriate workplace musculoskeletal injuries.",{"_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},6118824,"Proposal would require dental insurers to rebate premiums if less than 80% is paid in claims",3175,9520000,12695000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04&start=9520&end=12695","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04/thumbnail_9520000.jpg","/articles/6118824/Montana/Proposal-would-require-dental-insurers-to-rebate-premiums-if-less-than-80-is-paid-in-claims","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118824-85d90c1b1c2753eccaaab2e6a3b7dac8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151488&Signature=cxmFgz~l3cXOdtLnmA1x-2WpYlI5tDL6ILQCtraWYAJN5x51W0c2Nz8pExFmJXGkqmbfV-RKIOfwfK3AdJdYMCdSq1vqVRKYVRNLMdv9-PLFqd~hBkOiv8ni203eZ83TvWOb8gllTFZUnS6SX4jD4evabCas46JY-yh6IpTs9IgRB7RfMw0hR6~ub8faXHoQtCFnfHzD12seo3cvPseD-r1ACeUWV6QfXqkUvlyj6o2jPiH5OHo9Mf3EmZlbl7oqWRJkMJIUREe6McV0pXdN29g0G2K-7rBWduHhqGrG7pG9jYkXma72JXJTBDcuu1Uqc7l4mwvqmdijCsSuzAYFSg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 335, sponsored in the House by Sen. Greg Hertz, would require dental insurers that issue stand‑alone dental plans in Montana to meet an 80% dental loss ratio (DLR). If a plan’s claims payments fall below 80% of premium after allowable adjustments, the insurer would have to rebate the difference to covered policyholders.

Proponents including the Montana Dental Association and the Montana Dental Hygienists Association framed the bill as a consumer‑protection measure that forces transparency and returns more premium dollars to patient care. Dr. Michael Bowman, president of the Montana Dental Association, told members he sees patients who pay substantial premiums yet receive little value; Webb Brown (MDA) and dental hygienists repeated examples of low annual benefit caps and frustrating customer experiences. Witnesses noted the bill follows model language used in other states and in a national NCOIL discussion; supporters referenced Washington state, Massachusetts and other jurisdictions as precedent for state DLR actions.

Insurers and trade groups — including Delta Dental, AHIP, the National Association of Dental Plans, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana, MetLife, Guardian, Emblem (Emeritus) and others — strongly opposed the mandatory 80% standard. Opponents argued dental insurance differs from medical insurance: typical dental premiums are small (witnesses said average dental premium in Montana totals about $35 per month for some plans and that statewide dental premium volumes are on the order of tens of millions of dollars), so an 80% minimum would leave very little per‑member, per‑month to cover required administration, network management and consumer services. Delta Dental and others said the only ways to meet a hard 80% target would be (a) raise premiums substantially (some carriers said meeting 80% would require roughly doubling premiums in their modeling), (b) reduce plan choices or network size, or (c) exit markets for some segments (Massachusetts saw several plans leave after a 2022 ballot initiative requiring an 80% DLR was enacted).

Proponents said the bill applies only to stand‑alone dental plans (not dental benefits embedded inside medical plans, Medicare, or Healthy Montana Kids). Sponsor Sen. Hertz said the measure is meant to give consumers better value for premium dollars and noted the bill’s effective date would apply to plans issued or renewed after Jan. 1, 2026. The committee heard extensive testimony and a series of insurers and industry associations urged the committee to require reporting and study rather than a hard statutory minimum. No committee vote was recorded in the transcript.","Senate Bill 335 would require stand‑alone dental insurers licensed in Montana to report a dental loss ratio and rebate premiums to policyholders if less than 80% of premium dollars are paid in claims. Dentists and hygienists backed the bill as consumer protection; insurers warned it could raise premiums and shrink market participation.",{"_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},6118829,"Committee hears proposal to remove $100,000 premium tax cap for certain captive insurers",190,468000,658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04&start=468&end=658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04/thumbnail_468000.jpg","/articles/6118829/Montana/Committee-hears-proposal-to-remove-100000-premium-tax-cap-for-certain-captive-insurers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118829-7a7eaa6615e0252734299dd76dfd4591/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151488&Signature=SnXaB4FNxlY68oUzOeg9ZGGIPvLSmJ80P28iv3prvA9gzLkMN1O9z3uR5BrXMRXn38CR4CeLiei7klrlN1aRfyOrXbsy78TYkXd23B66rwUKmkaVTe-vY4rWRHJtE-GXtLpYUkCiQmW~qLpRq3K86wn0QN4fRSGOYruqNKz7ZKeDBGV1KZV4HP4YfwlArP0fflBJ1R8Y3jih7AjYw0ldCZLsHvwgnk4bm2XJuUwqjWhplDz0-W~n8e834kqbkHZgML05GouPtXjyBtRuWZRgasS0Xi7peYH5q6QID-DLw64iKuZFobu38QlHi56ZgF-0VXeDyODdTFLDIc83spL5IA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 60 was presented to the House Business and Labor Committee to remove a $100,000 cap on premium tax for a certain form of captive insurer organization described in testimony as “series business unit” captives (often called series or “series business unit structures”).

Sen. Noland (sponsor) said the bill updates Montana’s captive insurance statutes to avoid inequitable tax treatment. Frank Cote, deputy insurance commissioner, explained that the 2019 Legislature removed the cap for protected cell captive companies but the statutes did not at that time remove the cap for the similar series business structures; the office wants the statute aligned to avoid legal challenges and inequitable tax treatment between similar entities.

A representative of the Montana Captive Insurance Association (witness Huth — spelled in the transcript multiple ways) said the association supports the bill and was available for questions. No opponents or informational witnesses requested to testify on the record during the hearing excerpt in the transcript. The committee closed the hearing and the sponsor indicated readiness to assign a House carrier.","Senate Bill 60 would eliminate a $100,000 premium tax cap for a specific series business structure of captive insurers domiciled in Montana. The Commissioner of Securities and Insurance and industry representatives said the change would equalize tax treatment after a 2019 change removed the cap for protected cell captives.",{"_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},6118834,"Bill would let workers' comp court appoint benefits administrators for minors, incapacitated claimants",315,8660000,8975000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04&start=8660&end=8975","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2715926-023e6ee134a1c712280058f74ad97b04/thumbnail_8660000.jpg","/articles/6118834/Montana/Bill-would-let-workers-comp-court-appoint-benefits-administrators-for-minors-incapacitated-claimants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6118834-eb7386305bf716c31789f98f7ef116cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151488&Signature=P3kZ~4rtk0s1-L1hX9BLqTy7mb0b3nEr3FZy7bLuFSQgQ8Q5LmG4jlfHGeVMVBxF2fv5c~94D0lQbp57gltr7jSHDSIAd88hxedM50V~ATunH5AWg23XRdBwhjrPeFMh4Af6EgMZdnxhGKbP26Ep1ZtCL7NsLrmBXTKcndcqSUTe2956Dk1tsqM8emF2mDnVYc~0rEnToDBJy0QQ1BR9wSv4la4xR2aaoqznkGD1KpcJpv3uIy1ZdjbLhX9s8YQKbyPaCRshZmlQdIEGSxvYxA~QUSgQlbUbT2LVUUFDI1QXj07lREXtJOoGlaqETaErP-k9wtca7frx51PZx9FL4w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senate Bill 338, sponsored by Sen. Greg Hertz and heard in House Business and Labor, would allow the Workers’ Compensation Court to appoint a benefits administrator to receive and manage workers’ compensation payments on behalf of minor claimants or people adjudicated incompetent.

Witnesses from State Fund, the Montana Self Insurers Association, the Montana Chamber of Commerce, and other employers described the measure as a statutory cleanup requested by the court. Peter Strauss (Montana Self Insurers Association) and Quinlan O’Connor (Labor Department legal counsel, informational witness) told the committee that insurers and claimant attorneys typically agree on an appropriate fiduciary and ask the court to appoint that person, but the court’s authority on the point needed statutory confirmation after recent litigation and practice review.

Supporters said the change is a narrow fix to ensure benefits can be routed to an appropriate custodian without forcing carriers into district‑court guardianship proceedings. No opponents testified. Multiple stakeholder groups asked for a do‑concur recommendation.","Senate Bill 338 would give the Workers' Compensation Court explicit authority to appoint benefits administrators to receive and manage payments for minors or claimants adjudicated incompetent. Supporters said the change fixes a technical gap; insurers and employers supported the cleanup.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

House committee hears bill to require insurer acceptance of automaker repair procedures

Bill to allow physical therapists as workers' comp treating physicians draws mixed testimony

Proposal would require dental insurers to rebate premiums if less than 80% is paid in claims

Committee hears proposal to remove $100,000 premium tax cap for certain captive insurers

Bill would let workers' comp court appoint benefits administrators for minors, incapacitated claimants