Bill > SB52

This bill creates a new Montana Court of Chancery, a specialized court designed to improve the quality and timeliness of justice in complex legal areas such as business, land use, and constitutional law. The court will consist of three judges nominated by the governor and confirmed by the senate, serving staggered 6-year terms, with initial judges serving varying terms until 2027, 2029, and 2031. The chancery court will have jurisdiction over specific types of cases, including business disputes, commercial transactions, land use issues, and constitutional challenges, with cases involving more than $80,000 and excluding criminal prosecutions. The court will be located centrally in Helena, with judges holding trials in Billings, Great Falls, and Missoula, and will aim to resolve most cases within 150 days. Judges will be paid 20% more than an associate justice of the Montana Supreme Court and must have expertise in constitutional, land use, or business law. The court will develop its own rules and procedures, potentially using alternative dispute resolution methods, and will be supervised by the Montana Supreme Court, with expenses paid by the governor. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with certain provisions terminating on June 30, 2031, and includes provisions for severability and codification within existing state legal statutes.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1440