Montana HB 210 Change Notification
This measure requires the Montana Department of Labor and Industry to crossmatch unemployment insurance benefits applicants with motor vehicle records. The department may disclose a social security number for the purpose of unemployment insurance program integrity.
Additionally, the measure creates a lower tax schedule to the unemployment insurance employer classification and experience rating rate schedule.
Effective Date
January 1, 2026
Montana House Bill 210 Implication to Stakeholders
The main implication for employers relates to the lower tax schedule. Montana historically had eleven available rate schedules. The one to be used was determined annually by the ratio of the unemployment trust fund to total statewide wages. By adding a lower rate schedule, it can now be applied when the ratio of fund to wages reaches at least 2.80%. The minimum and maximum tax rates remain the same on the three lowest schedules.
Recommended Action
Nothing at this time, however, when the 2026 annual unemployment tax rates are issued, employers should audit them for accuracy and question inaccuracies with the state.
