The bill amends Section 2-18-502 of the Montana Code Annotated to revise the computation of meal allowances for employees who work night-shift hours. It introduces specific time frames for meal allowances based on whether the employee is working non-night-shift or night-shift hours. For non-night-shift hours, the morning meal allowance is available between 12:01 a.m. and 10 a.m., the midday meal allowance from 10:01 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the evening meal allowance from 3:01 p.m. to 12 midnight. For night-shift hours, the evening meal allowance is available from 12:01 p.m. to 10 p.m., the midnight meal allowance from 10:01 p.m. to 3 a.m., and the early morning meal allowance from 3:01 a.m. to 12 noon.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that an eligible employee can receive only one meal allowance if travel occurs within their assigned travel shift, or a maximum of two meal allowances if travel begins before or ends after their assigned shift, provided it does not exceed 24 hours. It also specifies that appointed members of state boards, commissions, or councils are entitled to a midday meal allowance when attending meetings, regardless of the meeting's proximity to their residence or headquarters, with an exception for legislative committee members during sessions. The Department of Administration is tasked with creating policies to effectively administer these changes.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-18-502
HB0769_1(1): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(2): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(3): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(4): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(5): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(6): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(7): 2-18-502
HB0769_1(8): 2-18-502
HB0769_1: 2-18-502
HB0769_X(1): 2-18-502
HB0769_X(2): 2-18-502
HB0769_X(3): 2-18-502
HB0769_X(4): 2-18-502
HB0769_X(5): 2-18-502
HB0769_X: 2-18-502