House Bill No. introduced by J. Darling seeks to revise various laws governing public employee retirement systems in Montana. The bill allows active members of retirement systems due to nonlegislative employment to retire upon termination of that employment, provided they make a one-time, irrevocable decision to cease participation during their legislative duties. Key amendments include extending the application period for disability retirement from 4 months to 12 months post-termination, clarifying that duty-related disability benefits do not convert to normal retirement upon reaching retirement age, and addressing payroll reporting errors that require retroactive contributions. The bill also removes the option for members to renounce benefits and updates definitions related to compensation and allowances.

Additionally, the bill amends specific sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to clarify definitions and benefits for firefighters and their dependents. Notable changes include the exclusion of per diems, maintenance allowances, and temporary bonuses from the definition of "compensation," and the introduction of a lump-sum refund of accumulated contributions for inactive members with less than 20 years of service. The bill also establishes that designated beneficiaries can be natural persons or organizations and allows for the revocation of beneficiary designations under certain conditions. The effective date for most provisions is set for July 1, 2025, with certain sections becoming effective on July 1, 2026, ensuring compliance with federal regulations and providing clearer guidelines for retirement benefits.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(1): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(10): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(11): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(12): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(13): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(14): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(15): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(16): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(2): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(3): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(4): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(5): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(6): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(7): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(8): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1(9): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_1: 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(1): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(10): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(11): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(12): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(13): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(14): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(2): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(3): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(4): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(5): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(6): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(7): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(8): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2(9): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_2: 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(1): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(10): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(2): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(3): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(4): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(5): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(6): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(7): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(8): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3(9): 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902
HB0062_3: 5-2-304, 19-2-303, 19-2-406, 19-2-506, 19-2-704, 19-2-801, 19-2-908, 19-2-1005, 19-2-1007, 19-3-108, 19-3-412, 19-3-505, 19-3-1103, 19-3-1106, 19-5-101, 19-5-802, 19-6-101, 19-7-101, 19-7-1101, 19-8-101, 19-8-601, 19-8-1003, 19-9-104, 19-9-1101, 19-13-104, 19-13-902