Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 5. LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

CHAPTER 2. LEGISLATURE -- COMPOSITION AND ORGANIZATION

Part 3. Compensation and Expenses of Members and Officers

Participation In State Benefits Group -- Employer Contribution Made To Other Plan

5-2-303. (Subsection (2)(c) effective on occurrence of contingency) Participation in state benefits group -- employer contribution made to other plan. (1) Individual members of the senate and the house of representatives may enroll in the state employees benefits group during the terms to which they have been elected. The provider of benefits shall enroll and collect employee contributions directly from those legislators. The employer contribution must be paid from funds appropriated for that purpose.

(2) (a) If a member elects to waive coverage under the state employees benefits group plan and is insured under a plan providing disability insurance, as defined in 33-1-207, or is covered through a life insurance policy, as defined in 33-1-208, the department of administration, upon request of the member, shall pay to the member an amount equal to the premium required to be paid by the member for coverage of the member and any dependents under the disability insurance plan or life insurance policy, subject to the limitation contained in subsection (2)(b) less any required tax withholding.

(b) A payment made under subsection (2)(a) may not exceed the amount of the employer contribution for group benefits for members of the legislature as provided for in 2-18-703.

(c) To the extent allowed under federal law, a member may be reimbursed for premiums for:

(i) a plan offered as an individual major medical policy or a medicare supplement plan; or

(ii) coverage under medicare plans.

(d) Unused employer contributions must be transferred to an account as provided in 2-18-703 for a legislator who is a state employee and who has contributions paid for by another agency when the legislature is not in session. (Subsection (2)(c) effective on occurrence of contingency--sec. 3, 4, Ch. 300, L. 2017.)

History: En. 43-310.3 by Sec. 12, Ch. 563, L. 1977; R.C.M. 1947, 43-310.3; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 555, L. 1979; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 229, L. 1987; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 392, L. 2013; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 300, L. 2017.