Bill Would Prohibit MSF From Paying Dividends

A bill introduced in the Montana Legislature would preclude the state’s largest workers’ compensation carrier from paying dividends and instead require it to hold surpluses in a trust. House Bill 513, introduced by Rep. Mark Noland, R-Bigfork, would end Montana State Fund’s dividend program, a payback option that many employers look forward to, business advocates testified Wednesday during a House Business and Labor Committee meeting. Proponents of the bill, however, said the legislation is necessary to keep more money in employers’ pockets now without havin...