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Bill Summary · HJ 21

Summary — HJ 21: "Resolution to secure and strengthen social security and the social trust fund"

Status: Died in Process (House)
Introduced: January 22, 2025
Primary Sponsor: Rep. Connie Keogh
Type: House Joint Resolution (state-level) — subject areas: Federal Government, Retirement, Senior Citizens
Related bill: LC 4143 (replaces)

Purpose and intent

HJ 21, by its title, is a legislative resolution expressing the Montana Legislature’s intent to “secure and strengthen Social Security and the Social Trust Fund.” As a joint resolution directed at federal Social Security policy, its primary aim would be to formally request, urge, or recommend federal action to protect Social Security’s solvency and benefits for current and future retirees and other beneficiaries.

Key provisions (based on resolution type and title)

The official bill text was not provided in the public summary available here. State joint resolutions of this type typically include some or all of the following non-binding elements:
- A statement of findings about Social Security’s importance to seniors and disabled Montanans and concerns about the Trust Fund’s long‑term solvency.
- A formal request or memorial to the U.S. Congress, the President, or the Social Security Administration to adopt specific measures to improve solvency (examples commonly requested include protecting benefits, opposing privatization, considering payroll tax changes, or adopting progressive benefit adjustments).
- Calls for federal legislative options to be considered (e.g., revenue increases, benefit formula changes, or adjustments to the payroll tax cap).
- Directions for the state to transmit copies of the resolution to Montana’s U.S. Senators and Representatives and to federal officials.

Because this is a joint resolution (state level) it likely would be non-binding on federal authorities and intended to influence or urge federal policy.

Who would be affected

  • Direct legal effect: None on Social Security benefits or program administration (state joint resolutions generally express legislative opinion rather than change federal law).
  • Political/advocacy impact: Intended to affect federal policymakers and to signal support for preserving Social Security for Montana seniors, disabled persons, and future retirees.

Procedural timeline and outcome

  • Introduced: 2025-01-22; referred to the Joint Committee on Government Administration and Elections and to the House Business & Labor Committee.
  • Committee activity: Hearing on 2025-03-13; tabled in committee on 2025-03-24.
  • Legislative calendar: Missed Deadline for Revenue Bill Transmittal on 2025-04-07.
  • Final status: Died in Process (House) on 2025-05-20 — the resolution did not advance to enactment.

Notes and caveats

  • This summary is based on the bill title, classifications, and legislative history because the full bill text was not included in the materials provided. If you need a word‑for‑word analysis or exact verbiage of provisions, obtain the bill’s full text or the LC 4143 draft referenced as “replaces.”

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

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