24.29.721    VALUE OF EMPLOYER-FURNISHED HOUSING

(1) For the purposes of this rule, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Agricultural employer" means an employer whose operations are assigned to an agricultural classification code for workers' compensation purposes. The term is intended to be consistent with the definition of agriculture provided by 15-1-101, MCA.

(b) "Bedroom" means a room in a dwelling that is primarily used for sleeping.

(c) "Dwelling" means a building equipped for human habitation.

(d) "Zero bedrooms" means a dwelling that is an efficiency, dormitory, or a bunkhouse.

(2) For the purposes of calculating wages pursuant to 39-71-123, MCA, the monthly fair rental value, in U.S. dollars, for housing is established for each county in Montana as specified in the publication entitled "Montana Workers Compensation Housing, Rent or Lodging Monthly Rates."

(a) The publication is available online via the department's web site, http://erd.dli.mt.gov.

(b) A printed copy of the publication is available to the public at no cost, upon request to the department's Employment Relations Division.

(3) In recognition of Montana's rural nature and expansive landscape, and the fact that housing supplied by an agricultural employer is likely to be remotely situated and distant from communities with an established rental housing market, housing furnished by an agricultural employer is discounted by 50 percent of the fair rental value for housing established in (2) of this rule, for the county in which the dwelling is located.

(4) If an individual is not currently using the room for sleeping, it is not considered a bedroom for the purpose of this rule.

(5) The provisions of this rule apply to housing furnished any worker.

 

History: 39-71-203, MCA; IMP, 39-71-123, MCA; NEW, 2018 MAR p. 640, Eff. 4/1/18.