Bill > SB45

This bill establishes a Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission in Montana to create a comprehensive system for evaluating the performance of district court judges and Supreme Court justices. The commission will consist of 11 members appointed by various state leaders, including the Senate president, House speaker, governor, and Supreme Court chief justice, with specific requirements about professional backgrounds. The commission will conduct midterm and final performance evaluations for judges, which will include judicial performance surveys targeting attorneys, jurors, and court staff. These surveys will assess judges on various dimensions such as legal ability, judicial conduct, administrative performance, and fidelity to constitutional principles. The evaluation reports will remain confidential until a judge files for re-election, at which point they become public record and will be summarized in a voter information pamphlet. The bill also provides for the commission to be administratively attached to the Department of Justice, requires members to serve staggered terms, and includes provisions for confidentiality and judge input. The legislation is designed to provide Montana citizens with transparent, fair, and useful information about judicial performance, with the ultimate goal of promoting public trust in the judicial system. The bill is set to terminate on June 30, 2035, and includes an initial appropriation of $500,000 for each of the first two fiscal years.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0527