LEGISLATIVE SESSION BILL WATCH

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: 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.

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.

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

SENATE

Ellie Boldman, D-SD 45, Missoula Steve Fitzpatrick, R-SD 10, Great Falls Shane Morigeau, D-SD 48, Missoula