Bill > SB342

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.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2062