March 22, 2017

The second half of the Montana legislature is underway and it's time to review the status of the many bills we have been watching and actions yet to come.  The hearing schedule has begun again and is picking up with more every week as legislators try and clear the agenda before the big financial issues take center stage. 

Your Legislative Committee is very busy reviewing bills and providing guidance to your government relations person and association staff.  We sure appreciate the person that take time out of their busy schedules to make sure your interests and those of your clients is being monitored and represented in Helena.

Below you will find a list of current bills being monitored by your lobbyist, legislative committee, staff and leadership. Bill numbers are linked to the detailed information page for each bill.

View the current bill text by clicking on the links next to the Bill Draft Number. Look for the pointing finger icon:

HB 24
Providing protections to vulnerable persons from financial exploitation.
The bill passed both houses as amended and been forwarded to the Governor.

HB 73
Regulate certain air ambulance memberships as insurance.
The bill has passed the Senate with additional amendments and returned to the House as amended.

HB 120
Revise insurance laws pertaining to NAIC accreditation.
The Governor has signed The Bill.

HB 123
Require certain insurance disclosures to minimize surprise bills.
This bill passed the house and is scheduled for hearing 3/22/17 in (S) Public Health Welfare and Safety. 

HB 137
Generally revise securities and insurance laws pertaining to the State Auditor.
The bill passed the House as amended and passed second reading in the Senate.  The IIAM supports the Bill as amended. 

HB 138 
Revise licensing of general insurance agent laws.
The Governor signed This bill.  The IIAM Supported this bill as amended.

HB 142
Revise insurance law to give mental health coverage parity with physical health.
The bill passed the House with a 50-49 and has been scheduled for hearing in (S) Public Health Welfare and Safety 3/27/17.   

HB 144
Generally revise motor vehicle laws.
The bill passed the House and is amended and passed from (S) Highways and Transportation.

HB 145
Adopt NAIC model legislation regarding Annuities.  
Passed the both houses as amended with the Insurance Department Amendments. The bill will be forwarded to the Governor. The IIAM does not oppose as amended.  

HB 165 
Revise punitive damage laws.
Passed the House as significantly amended and heard in (S) Judiciary 2/3/17.

HB 266 
Authorize interstate healthcare compact.
Passed the House and was heard in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety 3/15/17.  

HB 267
Revise laws related to bicycles on roadways.
Passed the House and may be dead in the Senate, establishes distances vehicles must stay from bicycles.

HB 291 
Prohibit certain underwriting factors for private passenger insurance.
Died on Third Reading in the House on a vote of 48-52.  The IIAM strongly opposed this bill.

HB 342 
Revise business laws related to liability and agritourism.
Bill passed both houses and returned to the Senate.

HB 346
Designate fiscal agent as employer for workers’ compensation insurance.
Passed the House and scheduled for heard in (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs 3/16/17.

HB 358
Revise workers' compensation laws pertaining to the release of information.
Passed the House and concurred in by (S) Business, Labor, and Economic Affairs Co.

HB 400                                                                                                         
Require disclosure of health care prices.
Passed the House and scheduled for hearing in (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety 3/15/17.

HB 427
Clarify property owner not liable for firefighter acts.                                                
Passed the House and scheduled for hearing in (S) Judiciary 3/24/17.

HB 449                                              
Revise the definition of wages in workers' compensation insurance.                
Passed the House and heard in (S) Business Labor, and Economic Affairs Co.

HB 557
Revise insurance laws pertaining to voluntary traffic safety program.                      
Died in the House.   

HB 581
Establish an uninsured motorist victims restitution fund.             
Scheduled for hearing in (H) Judiciary 3/27/81.

HB 598                                   
Limit capital gains income tax credit.
Scheduled for hearing in (H) 3/22/17.

SB 44
Provide process to hold patients harmless from balance billing by air ambulance.
This bill has been significantly amended Passed the Senate and scheduled for hearing in (H) Business and Labor 3/23/17.

SB 58      
Prohibit the use of $0 claims for insurance policy cancellation or renewal.
The Bill was taken from the table in (S) Business, Labor and slightly amended and passed by the Senate.  It was amended in (H) Business & Labor and is going to the housed floor.  The amendments include some of the industry requested amendments.                                                                                                                                           
SB 72
Create presumptive illness for firefighters.
Passed the Senate with amendments and scheduled for tabled in (H) Business and Labor.  

SB 96
Right to shop act for health care services.
Passed the Senate with amendments and will be heard in (H) Human Services 3/8/17.  

SB 107 
Provide liability limits for emergency care by volunteer emergency responders.
Passed the House and Senate and will be forwarded to the Governor.

SB 116 
Disallowing workers' compensation benefits for certain false statements.
Passed the Senate and scheduled for hearing in (H) Business and Labor 3/21/17.

SB 118
Provide for uniform act regarding fiduciary access to digital assets, providing some immunity.
Passed the Senate as amended and scheduled for hearing in (H) Judiciary 3/21/17.

SB 129 
Require insurance coverage of teledentistry.
Passed the Senate and the House with committee has concurred. 

SB 142
Revise laws related to volunteer emergency personnel and worker's comp insurance.
Passed the Senate and House and forwarded to Governor.

SB 167
Generally revise laws pertaining to insurance offenses.
Passed the Senate and now scheduled for hearing in (H) Judiciary 3/21/17. 

SB 179
Revise offer of judgment laws.                 
Passed the Senate and referred to (H) Judiciary Committee.  

SB 184                       
Revise workers compensation to allow termination of payments due to fraud.   
Passed the Senate and concurred in by (H) Business and Labor and will go to the floor in the house.  

SB 212
Revise mature defensive driving laws.
Passed the Senate and scheduled for hearing in (H) Business and Labor 3/21/17. The bill would expand this program to all drivers and mandate the discount from 2 to 3 years and the IIAM opposed the bill.  

SB 222                               
Revise insurance laws relating to annuity surrender fees.
Passed the Senate and scheduled for heard in (H) Business and Labor 3/23/17.  

SB 245
Generally, revise Montana captive insurance laws.
Passed the Senate and scheduled for hearing in (H) Business and Labor.

SB 293
Revise interest payments in civil cases.
Passed the Senate as amended and scheduled for hearing in (H) Judiciary Co. 3/22/17.  

SB 298                                    
Revise workers compensation relating to religious individuals and entities.
Passed the Senate and scheduled for hearing in (H) Business and Labor Co. 3/22/17  

SB 340
Authorize choice for out-of-state health care insurance.
Heard in Senate Business and Labor 3/16/17.  

SB 345
Provide for high deductible health insurance thru reimbursements and tax credits.
Heard in (S) Business, Labor and Economic Affairs 3/16/17.

Bill waiting to be introduced Short Title:  “ Montana Workers’ Compensation Modernization Act." 
This is a bill to liquidate the Montana State Fund. 
The IIAM will produce talking points in regard to this bill when it is introduced.