Senate Bill No. introduced by A. Olsen aims to revise Montana's workers' compensation laws by mandating that the Department of Labor and Industry annually update its rules regarding the definition of wages related to lodging. The bill amends Section 39-71-123 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to specify that the values for lodging, rent, or housing as part of an employee's remuneration must be updated annually and should consider factors such as geographic proximity to available housing.

The bill retains the existing definitions of wages, which include various forms of remuneration such as monetary commissions, bonuses, and tips, while also clarifying what does not constitute wages. It outlines the calculation of average actual earnings for compensation benefits, particularly for employees with concurrent employments, and emphasizes the importance of accurately reflecting an employee's earnings history in the event of an injury. Overall, the bill seeks to ensure that wage definitions remain relevant and reflective of current economic conditions.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 39-71-123
SB0291_1(1): 39-71-123
SB0291_1(2): 39-71-123
SB0291_1(3): 39-71-123
SB0291_1: 39-71-123