30-3-423. Obligation of drawer. (1) If an unaccepted draft is dishonored, the drawer is obliged to pay the draft:
(a) according to its terms at the time it was issued or, if not issued, at the time it first came into possession of a holder; or
(b) if the drawer signed an incomplete instrument, according to its terms when completed as stated in 30-3-115 and 30-3-407.
(2) The obligation is owed to a person entitled to enforce the draft or to an indorser that paid the draft pursuant to 30-3-414.
(3) If a draft is accepted by a bank and the acceptor dishonors the draft, the drawer has no obligation to pay the draft because of the dishonor, regardless of when or by whom acceptance was obtained.
(4) If a draft is accepted and the acceptor is not a bank, the obligation of the drawer to pay the draft if the draft is dishonored by the acceptor is the same as the obligation of an indorser stated in 30-3-414(1) and (3).
(5) Words in a draft indicating that the draft is drawn without recourse are effective to disclaim all liability of the drawer to pay the draft if the draft is not a check, but they are not effective to disclaim the obligation stated in subsection (1) if the draft is a check.
(6) The drawer to the extent deprived of funds may discharge its obligation to pay the check by assigning to the person entitled to enforce the check the rights of the drawer against the drawee with respect to the funds if:
(a) a check is not presented for payment or given to a depositary bank for collection within 30 days after its date;
(b) the drawee suspends payments after expiration of the 30-day period without paying the check; and
(c) because of the suspension of payments, the drawer is deprived of funds maintained with the drawee to cover payment of the check.
History: En. Sec. 138, Ch. 410, L. 1991.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 3. Uniform Commercial Code Negotiable Instruments
30-3-403. Signature by representative
30-3-404. Unauthorized signatures
30-3-405. Impostors -- fictitious payees
30-3-406. Negligence contributing to forged signature or alteration of instrument
30-3-409. Drawee not liable on unaccepted draft
30-3-410. Acceptance of draft -- certified check
30-3-412. Acceptance varying draft
30-3-414. Obligation of indorser
30-3-415. Instruments signed for accommodation
30-3-419. Conversion of instrument
30-3-420. Employer responsibility for fraudulent indorsement by employee
30-3-421. Refusal to pay cashier's checks, teller's checks, and certified checks
30-3-422. Obligation of acceptor
30-3-423. Obligation of drawer