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MontanaHB 32469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Revise voluntary payment laws to include all claims

Sponsored By: Steve Fitzpatrick (Republican)

Became Law

Financial InstitutionsCivil ProcedureLiabilityRemediesTorts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Judgment credit for prior payments

Beginning October 1, 2025, when a court enters a damages judgment, the court must subtract any voluntary partial payments made before judgment. This lowers what the judgment debtor must pay. If those payments are more than the final liability, the payer cannot get the extra back. These rules apply only to claims that accrue on or after October 1, 2025.

Voluntary payments not proof of fault

Beginning October 1, 2025, paying someone for injury or property damage is not an admission of fault. A partial payment is not a waiver and does not cut the damages you may claim. These rules apply only to claims that accrue on or after October 1, 2025. They do not apply to actions under 33-18-201 or 33-18-242. They also do not apply to attorney-fee proceedings for breach of contract, including offers of judgment or insurer fee claims. They do not apply to post‑verdict discretionary damages, including those in 30-14-133, 33-25-402, 70-16-106, 70-16-107, and 70-27-206.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Steve Fitzpatrick

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Bruce "Butch" Gillespie

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 289 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 4/7/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 0

House vote • 2/14/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 94 • No: 0

House vote • 2/13/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/5/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/1/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/22/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/18/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/10/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/8/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/8/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/7/2025Senate

  10. Committee Report--Bill Concurred

    3/20/2025Senate

  11. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred

    3/20/2025Senate

  12. Hearing

    3/15/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    3/6/2025Senate

  14. Hearing Canceled

    3/3/2025Senate

  15. Hearing

    2/27/2025Senate

  16. Referred to Committee

    2/21/2025Senate

  17. First Reading

    2/20/2025Senate

  18. Transmitted to Senate

    2/14/2025House

  19. 3rd Reading Passed

    2/14/2025House

  20. 2nd Reading Passed

    2/13/2025House

  21. Committee Report--Bill Passed

    2/5/2025House

  22. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/5/2025House

  23. Committee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended

    2/5/2025House

  24. Fiscal Note Printed

    2/4/2025House

  25. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    2/6/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    1/28/2025

    PDF

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