Terms Used In Montana Code > Title 27 > Chapter 33 > Part 1 - General Provisions

• Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
• Compelling governmental interest: means a governmental interest of the highest order that cannot otherwise be achieved without burdening the exercise of religion. See Montana Code 27-33-104
• Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
• Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
• Exercise of religion: means the practice or observance of religion. See Montana Code 27-33-104
• Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
• Person: means any individual, association, partnership, corporation, church, religious institution, estate, trust, foundation, or other legal entity. See Montana Code 27-33-104
• State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
• State action: means the implementation or application of any law, including but not limited to state and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and policies, whether statutory or otherwise, or other action by the state or a political subdivision and a local government, municipality, instrumentality, or public official authorized by law in the state of Montana. See Montana Code 27-33-104
• Substantially burden: means any action that directly or indirectly constrains, inhibits, curtails, or denies the exercise of religion by any person or compels any action contrary to a person's exercise of religion and includes but is not limited to withholding of benefits, assessment of criminal, civil, or administrative penalties, or exclusion from governmental programs or access to governmental facilities. See Montana Code 27-33-104
• United States: includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201