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SB 143MONTANASession 2025State BillSigned into law
Enacted

Montana reduces statute of limitations for written contracts and property improvement damage actions

Original title: Generally revise civil liability laws relating to statutes of limitations for certain actions

Last action · April 18, 2025: Chapter Number AssignedSponsor: Greg Hertz

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓
Introduced
Committee
Floor Vote
Passed
Law

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What This Bill Does

Montana shortens the time limit to file lawsuits based on written contracts from eight years to six years, and reduces the deadline for construction and land surveying damage claims from ten years to six years, effective October 1, 2025.

Why it matters

The measure directly alters the legal window for residents, contractors, and property owners to file civil lawsuits, shortening the duration during which legal claims can be brought for written agreements and property defects.

Background
  • Statutes of limitations establish the maximum time after an event that legal proceedings can be initiated. context

Who It Affects

Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

parties to written contracts

The time period to commence a legal action based on a written contract is reduced from eight years to six years.

Directly affected

contractors and land surveyors

The window of liability for damages arising out of work on real property improvements or land surveying is shortened from ten years to six years.

Directly affected

property owners and tenants

The timeframe to bring damage claims related to property improvements is shortened, while current responsibilities of those in actual possession and control remain unaffected by the limitation.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the new six-year limit for written contracts take effect?
The new limit applies to actions filed on or after October 1, 2025.
What is the new time limit for filing lawsuits regarding construction or land surveying damages?
The limit is reduced from ten years to six years after the completion of the improvement or land surveying.

What else do you want to know?

News Coverage

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Where This Stands

Current status: Signed into law.

Procedural history

36 actions
  1. Apr 18, 2025Senate
    Chapter Number Assigned
  2. Apr 17, 2025SenateEnrolled
    (S) Signed by Governor
  3. Apr 8, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to Governor
  4. Apr 8, 2025House
    (H) Signed by Speaker
  5. Apr 2, 2025Senate
    (S) Signed by President
  6. Mar 30, 2025Senate
    (S) Returned from Enrolling
Show 30 earlier actions
  1. Mar 28, 2025Senate
    (S) Sent to Enrolling
  2. Mar 28, 2025House
    (H) 3rd Reading
  3. Mar 28, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  4. Mar 27, 2025House
    (H) 2nd Reading
  5. Mar 27, 2025House
    (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  6. Mar 20, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Report
  7. Mar 19, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Committee Executive Action
  8. Mar 8, 2025House
    (H) Hearing
  9. Feb 10, 2025House
    (H) 1st Reading
  10. Feb 10, 2025HouseCommittee
    (H) Referred to Committee
  11. Feb 7, 2025Senate
    (S) Transmitted to House
  12. Feb 7, 2025Senate
    (S) 3rd Reading
  13. Feb 7, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
  14. Feb 6, 2025Senate
    (S) 2nd Reading
  15. Feb 6, 2025Senate
    (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
  16. Feb 4, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Report
  17. Feb 3, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Committee Executive Action
  18. Jan 23, 2025Senate
    (S) Hearing
  19. Jan 16, 2025SenateCommittee
    (S) Referred to Committee
  20. Jan 15, 2025Senate
    (S) 1st Reading
  21. Jan 14, 2025SenateIntroduced
    (S) Introduced
  22. Jan 14, 2025House
    (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
  23. Jan 10, 2025House
    (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
  24. Jan 9, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Assembly
  25. Jan 9, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
  26. Jan 8, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
  27. Jan 6, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Edit
  28. Jan 6, 2025House
    (LC) Draft in Legal Review
  29. Dec 8, 2024House
    (LC) Draft On Hold
  30. Dec 8, 2024House
    (LC) Drafter Assigned

Version history

Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.

View official text →

Lobbying Activity

No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.

Full breakdown

Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.

Sponsors

Greg HertzSenate · District 7RepublicanPrimary sponsor

Connected Entities

D. Fern, Greg Hertz
PersonD. Fern“Introduced SB 143”Map →
PersonGreg Hertz“Republican Senator, District 7, introduced SB 143”Map →

Sources

Open source document

bills.legmt.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance65
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy25
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz20
    Current news / social attention level

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