70-30-302. Assessing compensation -- date and measure -- interest. (1) For the purpose of assessing compensation, the right to compensation is considered to have accrued at the date of the service of the summons, and the property's current fair market value as of that date is the measure of compensation for all property to be actually taken and the basis of depreciation in the current fair market value of property not actually taken but injuriously affected. This subsection may not be construed to limit the amount of compensation payable by the department of transportation under the provisions of any legislation enacted pursuant to the federal Highway Beautification Act of 1965.
     (2) If an order is made allowing the condemnor to take possession, as provided in 70-30-311, the full amount finally awarded must draw interest at the rate of 10% a year from the date of the service of the summons to the earlier of the following dates:
     (a) the date on which the right to appeal to the Montana supreme court expires or, if an appeal is filed, the date of final decision by the supreme court; or
     (b) the date on which the condemnee withdraws from the court the full amount finally awarded.
     (3) If the condemnee withdraws from the court a fraction of the amount finally awarded, interest on that fraction ceases on the date it is withdrawn but interest on the remainder of the amount finally awarded continues to the earlier of the dates referred to in subsections (2)(a) and (2)(b) until the full amount is withdrawn from the court.
     (4) None of the amount finally awarded draws interest after the date on which the right to appeal to the Montana supreme court expires.
     (5) Improvements put upon the property subsequent to the date of the service of summons may not be included in the assessment of compensation or depreciation in current fair market value and may not be used as the basis of computing compensation or depreciation.

     History: En. Sec. 591, p. 194, L. 1877; re-en. Sec. 591, 1st Div. Rev. Stat. 1879; re-en. Sec. 609, 1st Div. Comp. Stat. 1887; amd. Sec. 2222, C. Civ. Proc. 1895; re-en. Sec. 7342, Rev. C. 1907; re-en. Sec. 9945, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. C. Civ. Proc. Sec. 1249; re-en. Sec. 9945, R.C.M. 1935; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 133, L. 1957; amd. Sec. 5, Ch. 234, L. 1961; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 182, L. 1965; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 187, L. 1867; amd. Sec. 12, Ch. 212, L. 1969; amd. Sec. 208, Ch. 316, L. 1974; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 534, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 93-9913; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 257, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 2, Ch. 531, L. 1981; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 512, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 67, Ch. 125, L. 2001.