Montana News

Exxon Claims Mont. Oil Spill Damage Limited, Gov. Doubtful

An oil pipeline that spewed tens of thousands of gallons of crude oil into Montana’s Yellowstone River was temporarily shut down in May because of concerns over rising waters, and regulators last year warned Exxon Mobil of several safety violations …

Tornado Touched Down in Montana

The National Weather Service says a tornado touched down south of Terry, Montana snapping a tree and damaging two small barns. No one was injured in the twister, reported shortly before 8:30 p.m. Friday about eight miles south of Terry, …

Montana State Fund Cuts Rates 20%

The board of Montana State Fund, the state’s largest workers’ compensation insurer, cut its rates by 20 percent, in a move that some hope will help the business community and encourage more job creation and higher wages. The 7-0 vote …

Mont. Governor Vetoes Workers’ Comp Tax

Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer has used his line item veto power to strike a a 2.75 percent workers’ compensation premium tax on insurance sold by the Montana State Fund to pay for continuing claims for workers injured before July 1990. …

Montana Lawmakers Add Tax to Workers’ Comp Bill

On the last day of the Montana legislative session, lawmakers added a 2.75 percent premium tax on insurance sold by the Montana State Fund to pay for continuing claims for workers injured before July 1990. The new fee takes effect …

Montana Reducing Workers’ Comp Costs 22.4%

Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen has approved a 22.4 percent reduction in workers’ compensation insurance loss costs, which will translate to lower premiums for employers. The lower loss costs, which are the costs insurers pay for claims, …

Survey Finds Structurally Deficient Montana Bridges

A new survey finds one of every 13 highway bridges in Montana is structurally deficient, and that an average of 80,000 motorists a day cross what the report ranks as the top three busiest bridges in the state that are …

Montana Workers’ Comp Claims Decrease 5%

Montana workers’ compensation claims have decreased by more than 5 percent in the past year, state Insurance Commissioner Monica J. Lindeen announced. The National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) recently made a filing with Commissioner Lindeen’s office requesting an overall …

Mont. Work Comp Compromise Moves Forward

The Montana House is giving its blessing to a deal between Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Democrats to cut workers’ compensation insurance rates universally seen as among the most expensive in the country. The path for the proposal has been paved …

Montana Senate Passes Workers’ Comp Reform Bill

The Montana Senate has passed a workers’ compensation reform bill that supporters claim will bring nearly $100 million in savings its first year. The Senate passed HB 334 by a 45-5 vote in its third reading on March 28. The …