MONTANA LEGISLATURE
Bills the bar is watching in the 2021 session The 2021 Montana Legislative Session hit its halfway point with the March 3 break following the bill transmittal deadline. Following is a list of bills introduced in the 2021 Montana Legislature that the State Bar of Montana has taken a position on, noting whether the bar was in support or opposition and the bills’ progress as of transmittal (* after status indicates bill is probably dead): House bills HB 2: General Appropriations Act: Bar position: Support judicial budget. Status: Hearing (House Appropriations) March 12. HB 325: Elect Supreme Court justices by districts. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Passed House on third reading 63-36 Feb. 19. HB 342: Providing for partisan elections for Supreme Court justices and District Court judges. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Not passed on second reading (44-56) * HB 355*: Require partisan elections for state, district, local judges. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Not passed on second reading (44-56) * HB 380: Revise appointment process for certain members of judicial standards commission. Bar position:
MONTANA LAWYERS IN THE 2021 LEGISLATURE HOUSE Robert Farris-Olsen, D-HD 79, Helena Tom France, D-HD 94, Missoula Bill Mercer, R-HD 46, Billings Andrea Olsen, D-HD 100, Missoula Katie Sullivan, D-HD 89, Missoula
STATE BAR OF MONTANA LEGISLATIVE BILL WATCH Opposed as amended. Status: Passed House on third reading, 64-34. Senate Bills SB1: Revise lobbying laws to update terminology and conform lobbying definition. Bar position: Support. Status: Signed by governor. SB 140: Provides direct appointment process for the governor to appoint district court judges and supreme court justices to fill judicial vacancies. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Passed House and Senate.
SENATE Ellie Boldman, D-SD 45, Missoula Steve Fitzpatrick, R-SD 10, Great Falls Shane Morigeau, D-SD 48, Missoula
SB252: Revise laws related to judicial impeachment. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Indefinitely postponed* SB271: Allow judicial candidates to announce endorsements. Bar position: Opposed. Status: Hearing, House State Administration, pending.
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