Montana HB727: Revise workers' compensation laws relating to competitive markets

What the bill says

A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising insurance laws relating to competitive markets; including workers' compensation plans among those that must be considered by the state auditor relating to market concentration; including plan no. 3, the state fund, in the state auditor's consideration of a competitive market; and amending section 33-16-1020, mca.".

From the engrossed text:

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING INSURANCE LAWS RELATING TO COMPETITIVE MARKETS; INCLUDING WORKERS' COMPENSATION PLANS AMONG THOSE THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED BY THE STATE AUDITOR RELATING TO MARKET CONCENTRATION; INCLUDING PLAN NO. 3, THE STATE FUND, IN THE STATE AUDITOR'S CONSIDERATION OF A COMPETITIVE MARKET; AND AMENDING SECTION 33-16-1020, MCA." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 33-16-1020, MCA, is amended to read: "33-16-1020. Competitive market -- hearing. (1) Except as annually measured by the commissioner in subsection (4), A a competitive market is presumed to exist unless the commissioner, after hearing, issues an order stating that a reasonable degree of competition does not exist in the market. The order may not expire later than 1 year after issuance. (2) (a) In determining whether a reasonable degree of competition exists, the commissioner shall consider the following (b)(ii) market shares and changes in market shares; (c)(iii) ease of entry into the market; (d)(iv) market concentration among plan No. 2 insurers and plan No. 3, the state fund, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman index; (e)(v) whether long-term profitability for insurers in the market is unreasonably high in relation to the risks being insured; (f)(vi) whether long-term profitability for insurers in the market is reasonable in relation to industries of comparable business …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Nicol, Nelly (R, 53) · primary sponsor

Latest actions

1. May 20, 2025: (H) Died in Process
2. March 12, 2025: (H) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
3. March 4, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Printed
4. March 4, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Unsigned
5. March 3, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Received
6. March 1, 2025: (H) Tabled in Committee
7. February 28, 2025: (H) Hearing
8. February 25, 2025: (H) 1st Reading
9. February 25, 2025: (H) Referred to Committee
10. February 25, 2025: (H) Fiscal Note Requested

Common questions

What is HB727?

HB727 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise workers' compensation laws relating to competitive markets.

What does HB727 do?

In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act revising insurance laws relating to competitive markets; including workers' compensation plans among those that must be considered by the state auditor relating to market concentration; including plan no. 3, the state fund, in the state auditor's consideration of a competitive market; and amending section 33-16-1020, mca.".

What is the status of HB727?

Failed as of May 20, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 20, 2025).

Who sponsored HB727?

Nicol, Nelly (R, 53).

Where is the official record for HB727?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3070