Bill > HB711

This bill modifies the selection process for the presiding officer of Montana's Districting and Apportionment Commission by adding a new restriction on who the Supreme Court can choose as the fifth commission member. Currently, the majority and minority leaders of each legislative house each designate one commissioner, and these four commissioners are responsible for selecting a fifth member to serve as the presiding officer within 20 days. If they fail to do so, the Supreme Court can select the fifth member. The bill now prohibits the Supreme Court from selecting a fifth member who has made a campaign contribution to a major party candidate for state or federal office within the past 10 years. This restriction is designed to reduce potential political bias in the redistricting process by preventing individuals with recent partisan financial contributions from serving as the commission's presiding officer, thereby aiming to promote more neutral and impartial congressional and legislative district boundary drawing.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2658