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Bill

SB 291

Revising laws related to workers' compensation definition of wages

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Andrea Olsen

Montana SB 291 would redefine workers' compensation wages for benefit calculation but died in committee during the 2025 session without advancing.

(S) Died in Process
#rulemaking #workers'compensation(seealso:laborandemployment)
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Bill Summary · SB 291

Legislative bill overview

SB 291 would revise Montana's workers' compensation law by redefining what counts as "wages" for calculating benefits. The bill died in the legislative process after being tabled in committee and missing the deadline for general bill transmittal in the 2025 session.

Why is this important

Workers' compensation benefit amounts are typically calculated based on an employee's average wages, so changing the definition directly affects how much injured workers receive. This impacts both employees' financial recovery from work injuries and employers' compensation costs and insurance premiums.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope of wage definition: Unclear whether the revised definition would include or exclude bonuses, commissions, shift differentials, or other forms of compensation, affecting different worker populations differently
  • Cost implications: Changes to wage definitions could either increase employer/insurer costs or reduce benefits to injured workers, creating opposing stakeholder interests
  • Retroactivity concerns: Whether the new definition would apply only to future claims or also to pending/existing cases with significant financial consequences

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

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