---
title: What are General Obligation Bonds?
description: Montana law authorizes municipalities to issue general obligation bonds backed by full taxing power and credit, offering secure and flexible financing for community-wide projects. These bonds require voter approval and are limited to 2.5% of assessed property value, ensuring responsible debt management and public accountability.
---

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December 3, 2025

# What are General Obligation Bonds?

## General Obligation Bonds: Secure and Flexible Financing for Montana Municipal Projects

State law authorizes the issuance of general obligation bonds, 7- 7- 42, MCA. A defining characteristic of general obligations bonds is that they pledge the unlimited taxing power and the full faith and credit of the issuing government to meet the required principal and interest payments. This enhanced level of security provided to investors provides the maximum safety for their investments. Because of the added security that general obligation bonds offer, issuers are able to market this type of bond at very attractive rates, in addition to being a very flexible financing instrument. Because the issuer has the ability to increase taxes to pay debt service, the structure of a G.O. bond is not constrained by a limited flow of available revenues.  
General obligation bonds are normally used for projects benefiting the entire community and whose costs should be defrayed over a long period of time. State law limits general obligation debt (all outstanding and unpaid indebtedness) to 2.5 percent of assessed valuation, 7-7-4201, MCA. Voter Approval Required, 7-7-4221, MCA. Whenever the governing body of any municipality considers it necessary to issue bonds pledging the general credit of the municipality for any purpose authorized by law, the question of issuing the bonds must first be submitted to the registered electors of the city or town. An election on the question of issuing bonds may be called by the city or town council or commission on its passage of the necessary  
resolution or after a petition asking that such election be held, and the question submitted has been presented to the council or commission. However, it is not necessary to submit to the electors the question of issuing refunding bonds to refinance bonds already issued and outstanding.

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Resources prepared by the MSU Extension Local Government Center are intended for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. For interpretation or application of the law, please consult qualified legal counsel. The Montana State University Extension Service is an ADA/EO/AA/Veteran’s Preference Employer and Provider of Educational Outreach.

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