Montana House Bill HB620

Montana 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/17/23
• Refer: 2/20/23

Caption

Establish the legal tender act

Impact

This act introduces significant changes to state monetary policy by allowing the use of precious metals as legal tender. This could have far-reaching consequences on how individuals and businesses conduct transactions, potentially fostering a more diversified monetary system. The new provision may also lead to fluctuations in how tax responsibilities are calculated and settled, as the value of specie will need to be monitored and updated regularly. The bill aims to create a system where the use of such tender becomes practical, where acceptance is based on mutual agreement, and market values are transparent and readily accessible.

Summary

House Bill 620 establishes the Legal Tender Act, which recognizes specie legal tender, including gold and silver coins, for transactions and tax payments within the state. This bill authorizes the use of specie as a means of paying state and local taxes, thereby introducing non-traditional forms of currency as legal tender alongside the U.S. dollar. The law requires that the state treasurer implement this system, ensuring that necessary rules and regulations are set to facilitate its operation, including the determination of exchange rates and the authentication of specie used in transactions.

Contention

While supporters of HB 620 argue that recognizing specie as legal tender enhances financial freedom and stability by diversifying the areas in which currency can be accepted, skeptics raise concerns over its practicality and the potential challenges it may pose to the existing monetary framework. They are particularly worried about the risks involved in transactions with volatile precious metal values and the administrative burden on the state treasurer to implement and monitor these new provisions effectively. There is also apprehension regarding how this will impact taxation processes and the potential for litigation arising from disputes over payments made with specie.