All Roll Calls
Yes: 286 • No: 62
MontanaSB 13469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Generally revise laws relating to gifts and endowments
Sponsored By: Greg Hertz (Republican)
Became Law
ContractsEstates and Trusts
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Stronger enforcement of donor limits
The law bans charities from breaking written donor restrictions on endowment gifts. If a restriction is violated, you or your legal representative can send written notice, wait 90 days, and file a complaint within 3 years after you discover it, in state court where the charity’s principal office is or in the matching federal district. You can bring a case even if the agreement does not say you can sue. Courts can order fixes that carry out the gift’s charitable purpose, but cannot order the charity to return your donated funds; you also cannot recover money damages under this Act. These rules apply to endowment agreements made on or after January 1, 1975, and are now in effect.
Clear rules on donors and funds
The law defines who counts as a donor and a charitable organization (must have 501(c)(3) status). It defines an endowment agreement as a written deal with a charity or charitable trust and protects only written donor‑imposed restrictions. An endowment fund is money the charity cannot spend all at once under the gift terms; funds the charity labels as endowments on its own are not covered. Property includes cash, real or personal property, stocks, bonds, and cryptocurrency. A legal representative can be an estate administrator known to the charity, a surviving spouse after the estate is settled, or a person named in the agreement.
Charities must give 90-day notice
If a charity cannot meet a term in an endowment agreement, it must notify you or your legal representative 90 days in advance. It must also offer an alternative that closely matches the original term. A charity can ask a court to declare what the agreement requires. The attorney general’s powers, court cy pres, and modification rights under Montana’s Uniform Prudent Management of Institutional Funds Act still apply.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greg Hertz
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Greg Overstreet
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 3/28/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 81 • No: 18
Senate vote • 3/27/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 79 • No: 21
Senate vote • 2/14/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 33 • No: 17
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
AMD-SB0134.002.001 Hertz D/PASS
Yes: 48 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/12/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 45 • No: 5
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/18/2025SenateSigned by Governor
4/17/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/8/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/8/2025HouseSigned by President
4/2/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
3/30/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
3/28/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
3/28/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
3/27/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/25/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/24/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/17/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/17/2025HouseTransmitted to House
2/14/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
2/14/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed as Amended
2/12/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Carried
2/12/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed as Amended
2/10/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
2/6/2025SenateHearing
1/25/2025SenateReferred to Committee
1/15/2025SenateFirst Reading
1/14/2025SenateIntroduced
1/13/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
As Amended (Version 4)
3/28/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
2/13/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
2/10/2025
Introduced
1/13/2025