Montana SB19: Revise sentencing laws related to theft

What the bill says

An act generally revising sentencing laws for theft, failure to return rented or leased personal property, issuing a bad check, deceptive practices, forgery, and theft of identity; revising the definition of common scheme; raising the penalty thresholds for offenses involving theft, failure to return rented or leased personal property, issuing a bad check, deceptive practices, forgery, and theft of identity; amending sections 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, and 45-6-345, mca; and providing an effective date.

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT GENERALLY REVISING SENTENCING LAWS FOR THEFT, FAILURE TO RETURN RENTED OR LEASED PERSONAL PROPERTY, ISSUING A BAD CHECK, DECEPTIVE PRACTICES, FORGERY, AND THEFT OF IDENTITY; REVISING THE DEFINITION OF COMMON SCHEME; RAISING THE PENALTY THRESHOLDS FOR OFFENSES INVOLVING THEFT, FAILURE TO RETURN RENTED OR LEASED PERSONAL PROPERTY, ISSUING A BAD CHECK, DECEPTIVE PRACTICES, FORGERY, AND THEFT OF IDENTITY; AMENDING SECTIONS 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, AND 45-6-345, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Section 45-2-101, MCA, is amended to read: "45-2-101. General definitions. Unless otherwise specified in the statute, all words must be taken in the objective standard rather than in the subjective, and unless a different meaning plainly is required, the following definitions apply in this title: (1) "Acts" has its usual and ordinary meaning and includes any bodily movement, any form of communication, and when relevant, a failure or omission to take action. (2) "Administrative proceeding" means a proceeding the outcome of which is required to be based on a record or documentation prescribed by law or in which a law or a regulation is particularized in its application to an individual. (3) "Another" means a person or persons other than the offender. (4) (a) "Benefit" means gain or advantage or anything regarded by the beneficiary as gain or advantage, including benefit …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Usher, Barry (R, 19) · primary sponsor
• Kelly, Steven (R, 9)

Latest actions

1. May 13, 2025: Chapter Number Assigned
2. May 13, 2025: (S) Signed by Governor
3. May 5, 2025: (S) Transmitted to Governor
4. May 5, 2025: (H) Signed by Speaker
5. April 29, 2025: (S) Signed by President
6. April 19, 2025: (S) Returned from Enrolling
7. April 17, 2025: (S) Sent to Enrolling
8. April 17, 2025: (S) 3rd Reading House Amendments
9. April 17, 2025: (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
10. April 16, 2025: (S) 2nd Reading House Amendments

Votes

• Do Pass (April 17, 2025): 37 yea, 13 nay, passed
• Do Pass (April 16, 2025): 47 yea, 2 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 11, 2025): 61 yea, 38 nay, passed
• Do Concur (April 11, 2025): 63 yea, 36 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 27, 2025): 34 yea, 16 nay, passed
• Do Pass (February 5, 2025): 32 yea, 16 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB19?

SB19 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise sentencing laws related to theft.

What does SB19 do?

In its own words: An act generally revising sentencing laws for theft, failure to return rented or leased personal property, issuing a bad check, deceptive practices, forgery, and theft of identity; revising the definition of common scheme; raising the penalty thresholds for offenses involving theft, failure to return rented or leased personal property, issuing a bad check, deceptive practices, forgery, and theft of identity; amending sections 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, and 45-6-345, mca; and providing an effective date.

What is the status of SB19?

Signed into law as of May 13, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 13, 2025).

Who sponsored SB19?

Usher, Barry (R, 19), with 1 co-sponsor.

Where is the official record for SB19?

On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0317