Montana Lawyer June/July 2025

UM Law Professor’s Work Vital to Modernizing Montana’s Commercial Code PHIL STEMPIN, UM News Service FOR YOUR REFERENCE

Governor Greg Gianforte recently signed Senate Bill 426 into law, marking a major overhaul of Montana’s Uniform Commercial Code. Professor Jonathon S. Byington of the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law played a key role in support ing and advancing the enactment of this 134-page bill. The new law modernizes Montana’s commercial laws to address digital assets such as cryptocurrency and updates important legal terminology. It also keeps Montana’s com mercial laws aligned with those of other states, which strengthens interstate business transactions. “This bill updates Montana’s commercial laws to facilitate commerce in the digital age,” Byington said. “It provides a legal framework that encourages technological inno vation, financing, and economic growth—benefiting both businesses and consumers in Montana.” Byington, the Steve and Jane Bahls Professor of Excellence and one of Montana’s Uniform Law Commissioners, has been closely involved in this legislative effort. A recog nized expert in commercial law, Byington authored an article in the Montana Law Review (84 Mont. L. Rev. 228) explaining why Montana’s commercial laws needed reform. He also provided input on the bill’s draft, prepared educational materials for lawmakers, testified before both Senate and House committees, and worked across multiple legislative sessions to support its passage. “The UCC amendments promote certainty, predictability, and fairness in commercial transactions,” Byington said. “By establishing clear default rules, the UCC helps parties negotiate and structure deals with confidence. At the same time, it protects less experi enced parties who choose to engage in commercial transactions.” “The UCC amendments promote certainty, predictability, and fairness in commercial transactions,” said Byington. “By establishing clear default rules, the UCC helps parties negotiate and structure deals with confidence. At the same time, it protects less experi enced parties who choose to engage in commercial transactions.”

Jonathon S. Byington is a commercial law expert and a professor at the University of Montana’s Alexander Blewett III School of Law. He is the Steve and Jane Bahls Professor of Excellence and serves as a commissioner for Montana on the Uniform Law Commission. His scholarship and leadership in advancing Senate Bill 426 reflect his dedication to keeping Montana’s legal frame work competitive and relevant in a fast-changing economic landscape.

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