Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 2. GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 9. LIABILITY EXPOSURE AND INSURANCE COVERAGE

Part 5. General Provisions Related to Official Bonds

Extent Of Sureties' Liability -- When Less Than Full

2-9-511. Extent of sureties' liability -- when less than full. (1) An official bond executed by any officer pursuant to law is in force and obligatory upon the principal and sureties for any and all breaches of the conditions of the bond committed during the time the officer continues to discharge any of the duties of or hold the office and whether the breaches are committed or suffered by the principal officer or the officer's deputy or clerk.

(2) A surety bond is in force and obligatory upon the principal and sureties for the faithful discharge of all duties that may be required of the officer by any law enacted subsequently to the execution of the bond, and that condition must be expressed in the bond.

(3) When the penal sum of a bond required to be given amounts to more than $1,000, the sureties may become severally liable for portions not less than $500, making in the aggregate a liability of double the amount named as the penal sum of the bond. If a bond is forfeited, an action may be brought on the bond against any or all of the obligors and judgment may be entered against them, either jointly or severally, as they may be liable. The judgment may not be entered against a surety severally bound for a greater sum than that for which the surety is specially liable by the terms of the bond. Each surety is liable to contribute to the cosureties in proportion to the amount for which the surety is liable.

History: (1)En. Sec. 1062, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 389, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 480, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 959; re-en. Sec. 480, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 6-311, R.C.M. 1947; (2)En. Sec. 1063, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 390, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 481, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 960; re-en. Sec. 481, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 6-312, R.C.M. 1947; (3)En. Sec. 1059, Pol. C. 1895; amd. Sec. 1, p. 112, L. 1897; amd. Sec. 4, p. 80, L. 1899; re-en. Sec. 386, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 477, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 956; re-en. Sec. 477, R.C.M. 1935; Sec. 6-308, R.C.M. 1947; R.C.M. 1947, 6-308, 6-311, 6-312; amd. Sec. 61, Ch. 61, L. 2007.