Senate committee concurs to move Workers' Compensation Court into judicial branch

The Senate Finance and Claims Committee concurred in House Bill 516 after a brief fiscal‑note hearing and concurrence vote. Representative Ken Walsh (House District 69) told the committee the bill transfers the Montana Workers' Compensation Court into the judicial branch and provides that an amount equal to the court appropriation in the general appropriations act will be transferred to the judicial branch from the special revenue account generated by workers‑compensation insurance premiums.

Why it matters: Proponents said the change aligns the court with other courts of record, reduces administrative complexity and should cut administrative costs that delay payments to injured workers. Judge Lee Bruner, who identified himself as judge of the Montana Workers' Compensation Court, testified the move will allow the court to “provide a lot better service to our customers” and urged passage.

Committee testimony and fiscal details: Dave McAlpin, court administrator for the judicial branch, told the committee the principal fiscal cost in the fiscal note is integration of the court into the judiciary’s data systems and provision of e‑filing to the public. An informational witness from the Public Employees Retirement Administration provided pension‑related details on the fiscal note but did not oppose the measure.

Outcome and next steps: The committee concurred in House Bill 516 and the bill will move forward according to legislative process. No amendment or further direction was recorded during the hearing.