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Bill > SB342


MT SB342

Provide that chief justice appoints the court administrator


summary

Introduced
02/17/2025
In Committee
03/04/2025
Crossed Over
03/03/2025
Passed
05/05/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/08/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT PROVIDING THAT THE CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT APPOINTS AND DIRECTS THE COURT ADMINISTRATOR; AMING SECTIONS 3-1-130, 3-1-701, AND 3-1-702, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE.”

AI Summary

This bill modifies Montana state law to change how the court administrator is appointed and directed, shifting the responsibility from the entire Supreme Court to the Chief Justice specifically. The bill amends three sections of Montana law to clarify that the Chief Justice, rather than the full Supreme Court, will appoint and direct the court administrator. Under the new provisions, the court administrator will hold their position at the pleasure of the Chief Justice and will perform various administrative duties for the judicial branch, including preparing budget requests, collecting and reporting court statistics, coordinating information technology, recommending improvements to the judiciary, and administering various judicial programs and personnel plans. The bill is effective immediately upon passage and applies retroactively to court administrators already appointed, meaning it will impact current as well as future appointments. These changes appear designed to centralize administrative control of the court system more directly under the Chief Justice's leadership.

Committee Categories

Justice

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Chapter Number Assigned (on 05/08/2025)

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