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Bill Summary · HJ 68

Summary — HJ 68: Interim study of the Montana State Fund's Plan 3 workers' compensation insurance

Status: Died in Process (House) — final action recorded 2025-05-22
Primary sponsor: Rep. Curtis Schomer
Bill type: Joint resolution (interim study)
Related draft: LC 3091 (listed as replaced)

Purpose

HJ 68 would have directed the Legislature to conduct an interim study of the Montana State Fund’s Plan 3 workers’ compensation insurance. The stated intent was to evaluate the design, funding, performance, and impacts of Plan 3 and to develop information and recommendations for possible legislative or administrative action.

Key provisions (scope and likely elements)

The resolution is an interim-study measure rather than a statutory change. While the text of the final study instructions is not provided here, the bill’s title and legislative practice indicate the study would generally have included:
- Examination of Plan 3 benefit design, eligibility, and claims experience.
- Review of Plan 3 funding, premium rates, reserve levels, actuarial soundness, and solvency implications for the Montana State Fund.
- Assessment of impacts on employers (premiums, competitiveness) and injured workers (benefits, access to care).
- Comparison of Plan 3 with other State Fund plans and private-market options.
- Consideration of administrative or statutory changes to improve affordability, stability, or equity.
- Development of findings and recommendations for the next legislative session.

Specific membership, timeline, data requests, and deliverables (final report or recommended bill language) would have been set by the Legislative Council or the committee assigned to the interim study if the resolution had advanced.

Who would be affected

  • Montana State Fund (administration and financial management of Plan 3)
  • Employers who participate in or are affected by Plan 3 premium settings
  • Injured workers covered under Plan 3
  • State actuarial and regulatory staff (e.g., Department of Labor & Industry)
  • Business groups, labor organizations, private insurers, and medical providers who may be stakeholders in any recommended changes

Legislative history and timeline

  • Drafting began: LC drafter assigned 2024-12-13; draft milestones April 15–17, 2025.
  • Introduced in House: April 18, 2025 (first reading April 22, 2025).
  • Referred to House Business and Labor Committee; hearing April 22, 2025.
  • Committee action: Reported passed as amended April 24, 2025. Tabled April 23, 2025 (procedural).
  • Second reading scheduled April 28, 2025; 2nd reading not passed that day.
  • Final status: Died in Process, May 22, 2025.

Potential impact and next steps

If adopted, HJ 68 would have provided lawmakers with structured, interim information to inform policy choices about Plan 3 (potentially leading to bills in a future session). Because the resolution died in process, no formal interim study authorized by HJ 68 occurred under this measure. Stakeholders interested in Plan 3 issues can expect similar study proposals or substantive bills to be introduced in future sessions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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