80-4-425. Action on bond by persons injured -- liability of surety -- statute of limitations. (1) All claims against a bond must be made by and through the department. A person injured by the breach of an obligation for which a bond is given to the department may file a complaint with the department. The department shall then investigate the complaint and determine whether it is valid and whether there are any other outstanding obligations due. If the department finds that there are one or more valid obligations, the department shall make demand upon the warehouse operator or commodity dealer and the commodity dealer's surety for payment. If the payment is not made promptly, the department shall commence an action on the bond to enforce payment. If the department determines that a complaint is without merit, the department shall notify the complainant of that determination in writing. The complainant may then bring a contested case under Title 2, chapter 4, part 6, to the department for a determination of whether the department should pursue the claim against the bond.
(2) If two or more persons are injured by breach of the obligation for which the bond is given and the damages for violating the conditions of the bond exceed the specified amount of the bond, the recovery on the bond must be prorated by the surety among all of those injured.
(3) The liability of a surety under a bond extends to all obligations from commodity dealers' or public warehouse operators' transactions entered into during the year in which the bond was in effect, up to the maximum amount of the bond. Claims must be brought against the bond within 2 succeeding license years.
History: En. Sec. 16, Ch. 539, L. 1983; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 452, L. 1993.
Structure Montana Code Annotated
Chapter 4. Agricultural Commodities
Part 4. Agricultural Commodities Generally
80-4-404. Terms of licenses -- renewals
80-4-406. Appointment by nonresident licensee of agent to receive process
80-4-407. Reports to the department
80-4-408. Examination of books
80-4-409. Confidentiality of records
80-4-410. Publication of reports
80-4-411. Employment of assistants
80-4-412. through 80-4-414 reserved
80-4-415. Creation of commodity dealer/public warehouse operators account -- deposit of funds
80-4-416. Deposit of deficiency funds and liquidation funds
80-4-417. and 80-4-418 reserved
80-4-419. Bankruptcy as grounds for cancellation
80-4-421. License suspension and revocation -- renewal
80-4-422. Delayed payment or purchase contracts
80-4-424. Director's authority -- investigative hearing
80-4-425. Action on bond by persons injured -- liability of surety -- statute of limitations
80-4-428. Penalty for operating without license -- misrepresentation