WeVote
Log In

Bill

MT

Bill

HB 640

Revising membership in FURS to include airport authority public safety employees

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Mark Thane

Expand Montana's FURS pension system to cover airport authority public safety employees, providing retirement benefits parity with other first responders.

(H) Died in Process
#firesandfireprotection #retirement
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 640

Legislative bill overview

HB 640 would expand the Montana Firemen and Unified Responders System (FURS) pension plan to include airport authority public safety employees. Currently, these employees are excluded from the retirement benefits system available to other first responders. The bill sought to provide pension coverage parity for airport security and emergency personnel.

Why is this important

Airport public safety employees perform duties comparable to other first responders—fire, police, and emergency services—yet lack access to the same retirement security benefits. This creates recruitment and retention challenges for airport authorities and raises equity questions about which emergency personnel qualify for defined-benefit pension protections. The fiscal impact of expanding pension obligations is also relevant to state budget considerations.

Potential points of contention

  • Pension fund solvency: Expanding FURS membership increases long-term liabilities; opponents may argue the system cannot absorb additional participants without contribution rate increases
  • Cost allocation: Unclear whether airport authorities or the state would bear the additional pension costs, creating potential budget disputes
  • Scope creep concerns: Expanding pension access to one group may invite similar requests from other public employees currently excluded from FURS

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

Sign in to ask a question.